Abstract
Pechuel-Loeschea leubnitziae is a predominant medicinal plant in Namibia. It is traditionally utilized in treatment of gastrointestinal issues, sexually transmitted infections and common cold. Despite its therapeutic potential, the phytochemicals profile and compounds compositions are yet to be scientifically validated. This study was conducted to determine the spectrum and total phytochemical constituents present in P. leubnitziae leaves extract using standard qualitative and quantitative methods. Fine powder of P. leubnitziae was extracted by cold maceration using a serial exhaustive approach in a 1:5 dilution in hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol and water. After 72 h, obtained filtrate was concentrated using a rotary evaporator or lyophilizer. Crude fraction of each solvent obtained was screened for phytochemicals using qualitative and quantitative methods. The yield of the extracts post-extraction ranged from 5.361 to 23.93 g. The extracts contain alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and tannins. There were significant differences in the total phytochemical contents of each solvent. Total alkaloids contents (TAC) ranged from 29.12 to 106.44 µg, total flavonoids contents (TFC) ranged from 30.41 to 78.84 µg, total phenolic contents (TPC) ranged from 57.14 to 58.70 µg and total tannins contents (TTC) ranged from 13.06 to 30.85 µg. The leaves of P. leubnitziae contain phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic, terpenoids, tannins and saponins that are known to have pharmacological properties and they can be explored for biological potentials. Key words: Pechuel-Loeschea leubnitziae extracts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, phytochemicals content.
Highlights
Traditional medicines are defined by WHO as knowledge, skills, and practices based on beliefs, theoretical aspects and indigenous experiences which differ among different cultures in prevention or curing physical or mental illness (Mansoor and Sanmugarajah, 2018)
Qualitative phytochemical screening will assist in comprehension of phytochemical compounds present in the particular plant while quantification of those secondary metabolites will assist in extracting, purification and identification of the bioactive compounds for further convenient application
P. leubnitziae leaves were collected from Onayena, Oshikoto region in Namibia in May 2020 and transferred to Pan African University of Basic Science, Technology and Innovation, Kenya
Summary
Traditional medicines are defined by WHO as knowledge, skills, and practices based on beliefs, theoretical aspects and indigenous experiences which differ among different cultures in prevention or curing physical or mental illness (Mansoor and Sanmugarajah, 2018). Medicinal plants are rich in active secondary metabolites known as phytochemicals. The phytochemical compounds are non-dietary plants derivatives which are determined. In order to determine phytochemicals from medicinal plants, numerous processes should be considered such as extraction, isolation, purification, concentration, in-vitro activity and in-vivo efficacy. Qualitative phytochemical screening will assist in comprehension of phytochemical compounds present in the particular plant while quantification of those secondary metabolites will assist in extracting, purification and identification of the bioactive compounds for further convenient application. There are more than 350, 659 medicinal plants globally of which only 2% have been explored and scientifically validated based on their phytochemicals composition and effective bioactivities (De Ghosh, 2014)
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