Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Icacina trichantha Oliv. Leaf Extracts

Abstract

Man has been exploring the nature particularly plants in search of new drugs since antiquity. This has led to the use of large number of medicinal plants with therapeutic properties to treat several diseases [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 80% of the world’s inhabitants (primarily those living in developing countries) relies on traditional medicine for their primary health care, most of which involves the use of plant extracts [2]. This may be related not only to the cost and difficulty in obtaining modern orthodox medical care but also the proven efficacy and tolerability of the herbal preparationsa practice that has been with indigenous groups for ages [3]. Rural areas of many developing countries including Nigeria still rely on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs and have found place in day-to-day life. These medicines are safer and cheaper when compared with synthetic or modern medicine [4-6].