Abstract
Ethnobotanical investigation revealed the use of ten medicinal plants in the management of arthritis in Ibadan, Nigeria. This study screened the plants for mineral, proximate and phytochemical components that could be responsible for their therapeutic value in arthritis. The powdered plant samples were analysed for nutritional constituents and phytochemical compounds using standard laboratory protocols. The use value of plant-parts was 50% leaves and 50% roots. Three out of the 10 plants had high calcium content: Oncoba spinosa (180.0 mg/100 g), Nymphaea lotus (160.0 mg/100 g) and Solenostemon monostachyus (125.0 mg/100 g). N. lotus had the highest iron content (8.0 mg/100 g). Phosphorus content was highest in O. spinosa (150.0 mg/100 g). Magnesium was highest in Phyllanthus amarus (14.0 mg/100 g). Crude fibre was highest in Solanum aethiopicum (15.90%) and the least in O. spinosa (14.00%). S. aethiopicum had the highest protein content (18.50%) and O. spinosa the least (14.75%). All the medicinal plants tested positive to alkaloids, carotenoids and flavonoids. The plants contained minerals and secondary metabolites that are implicated in arthritis viz. calcium, zinc, carotenoids and flavonoids. The presence of these compounds in the test plants might alleviate pains associated with arthritis. O. spinosa had high potential in the management of arthritis due to its high calcium and phosphorus components. Key words: Arthritis, medicinal plants, mineral analysis, proximate analysis, Nigeria.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONLecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch ex Benth., Carpolobia lutea G.Don, Microdesmis puberula Hook.f. ex Planch., Oncoba spinosa Forssk., Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq.)
Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch ex Benth., Carpolobia lutea G.Don, Microdesmis puberula Hook.f. ex Planch., Oncoba spinosa Forssk., Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq.)Benth., Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., Solenostemon monostachyus (P.Beauv.) Briq., Tetracera alnifolia Willd., Solanum aethiopicum L. and Nymphaea lotus L. are used for the management of arthritis in Ibadan, Nigeria
The plants are of therapeutic importance in managing arthritis, they are used for other health problems in folk medicine
Summary
Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch ex Benth., Carpolobia lutea G.Don, Microdesmis puberula Hook.f. ex Planch., Oncoba spinosa Forssk., Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq.). Medicinal applications of S. aethiopicum include the use of roots and fruits as a carminative and sedative, and to treat colic and high blood pressure. Regardless of the type of arthritis, common symptoms include pain, swelling in the tissue and joints, stiffness, deformity and diminished flexibility. Some common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system attacks its own cartilage and tendons between the joints. Some medicinal plants have been reported to be useful in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Curcuma longa (turmeric) is a potent herbal remedy for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms It contains curcumin, which gives it both its characteristic yellow color and anti-inflammatory properties (Neidzooicha, 2013). This study presents the test plants for future pharmacological and toxicological studies in related research fields
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