Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Composition of Brachystegia Eurycoma Root, Leaf and Stem Bark

Abstract

Onihunwa JO, Joshua DA, Irunokhai EA and Akande OA

This study assesses the phytochemical screening of Brachystegia eurycoma root, leaf and bark using aqueous solvent. Phytochemical screening was conducted to determine the presence of natural products (alkaloids, tannins, steroid, saponin, phenol, carbohydrate, flavonoid, terpenoid, triterpenoids, quinone and cardial glycoside) using standard procedure. The qualitative phytochemical constituents of Brachystegia eurycoma leaf, root and stem bark revealed the presence Alkaloid, Flavonoid, quinone, tannin, saponin and Terpenoids while Phenol, carbohydrate, steroids and triterpenoids are absent in the leaf, stem bark and root extracts of the plant. Cardiac glycoside was only present in root extracts. The quantitative phytochemical screening of the extracts showed that they had high concentrations of alkaloids and tannins and they were relatively low in Terpenoids. The results evidently specifies aqueous extract of leaf, bark and root of Brachystegia eurycoma contains various bioactive compounds which have various medicinal properties that can be used for the treatment of many diseases. However, isolation of individual phytochemical constituents and subjecting it to the biological activity will definitely provide more fruitful results. Therefore, it is recommended as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance.

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