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Original Article
Anatomy
International Journal of Chemical And Pharmaceutical Research
ISSN 2319-1716
Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2014.
© Glorigin Lifesciences Private Limited.
Preliminary Phytochemical and Nutrient Evaluation of Mishenland polyherbal food supplement
containing Allium sativa, Allium ascalonicum, Tetrapleura tetraptera and Mondia whitei
Adefule A.K1*, Huthman A.S2, Adesanya O.A1, Otulana O.J1, Adeyanju M.M3, Oyesiku O.O4
Abstract
The worldwide role of herbs in the treatment of diseases is established by their usage in all important
system of medicine. There are still many herbs all around the globe that remained still unexplored in the
field of medicine and science. Medicinal plants (a.k.a. Phytomedicines) are parts of a plant or the whole
plant that possess healing properties. Phytochemical study of the polyherbal drug containing Allium sativa
(garlic), Allium cepa , Tetrapleura tetraptera and Mondia whitei is explored in this research.
Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compound tannins, saponins, cardiac glycoside
and flavonoids in the sample.
Results showed that the polyherbal mixture contained Zn, Mn, Na, K, P, and Fe. Mineral analysis,
Potassium showed highest values (ppm). Mn, 0.214; Na, 325.4; K, 411.05; Mn 0.2418, Zn 0.5282 in the
leaves, and Fe, 0.001 as compared to other elements examined.
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo
University, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun-State, Nigeria, 2Department of Chemistry, Federal Institute of
Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos, 3Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences,
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun-State, Nigeria, 4Department of Plant Sciences,
Faculty of Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun-State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Allium sativa, sprouted Allium ascalonicum, Tetrapleura tetraptera , Mondia whitei,
phytochemicals, micronutrients, therapeutic properties.
Corresponding Author: Adefule A.K, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences,
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun-State, Nigeria E-mail:
adefule2008@gmail.com
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1. INTRODUCTION
Usage of herbs for food as well as medicinal
sources for cure and relief of diseases is as old as
mankind. There has been an increase interest in
alternative therapies globally (WHO, 1993, 2003)
and a consistent increase in the use of herbs
derived from plants as convenient alternatives or
rather complementary to the use of orthodox or
synthetic drugs. This can be attributed largely to
the shift towards consuming naturals as against
synthetic products, with the awareness of having
beneficial effects in the use of nature’s products,
the side effects of conventional drugs as well as
the inaccessibility of these conventional drugs
coupled with the risk involved in the
comsumption of substandard and fake drugs in
circulation mostly in the third world (Duke and
Wain 1981, Jacob et al., 2001). China and india
have developed a sophisticated traditional
medicine system for several decades and have
continued to play an essential role in the health
care system.
Allium cepa is a homeopathic remedy made
from red onions that is commonly used to relieve
the symptoms of hay fever, nasal congestion, or
similar complaints. It is a popular remedy, and
may easily be obtained from a pharmacy that
carries a range of homeopathic medicines. Many
people keep a supply of allium cepa with them if
they are prone to suffering from hay fever. To
make allium cepa, an entire fresh red onion plant
is used and is harvested in July or August. Onion
contains an acrid, volatile substance which
stimulates the tear glands and the mucous
membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
Homeopathic remedies typically work by using a
tiny amount of a substance to cure a condition
that normally would be produced by larger
concentrations of that compound. The theory
states that homeopathic allium cepa will prevent
copious discharges of the tear glands and mucous
membranes (Franca B and Harri V 2001).
Ayurveda uses Allium sativa (garlic) as a
tonic, to build the health in general rather than
Intl. J Chem Pharm Res 2014;3(3): 477-483
treat a particular disease, although it recognises
garlic's effects on the digestive, respiratory,
nervous, and reproductive and circulatory
systems. In Unani medicine garlic is used to treat
dysentery, intestinal infection, colic in children,
arthritis and food poisoning. In south-west
America it is used as a cough remedy, and the
Appalachians used garlic for treating pneumonia
and chest colds. It is also recommended for
earaches and deafness. In Thailand it is eaten to
avoid diarrhoea from parasites and a decoction of
fresh bulb is taken orally as an anti-inflammatory.
The crushed bulb is also used as a poultice on
inflamed joints. In France it is used to treat
allergies, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma,
urinary incontinence, bronchial diseases, acne,
emphysema, hypertension and liver diseases. A
hot water extract of fresh bulb has been taken in
Yugoslavia for treating diabetes. In the West
Indies extracts of the bulb are taken for
hypertension and rubbed on the abdomen to
facilitate parturition and in Africa it is used as an
antibacterial for sore throats, infected wounds and
boils. The essential oil is occasionally used as an
antispasmodic, antimicrobial, diuretic, antiasthmatic and emenagogue (Atta, K. Bonsu,
1999, Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, Terriet G, 1999,
Benkeblia N, 2003).
Tetrapleura tetraptera , locally known as
‘aridan’ in South-Western Nigeria is a medicinal
plant with many folkloric uses. Some of the
folkloric uses of this popular West African plant
have been authenticated in the laboratory and
field experiments. The plant is claimed to be
therapeutically useful in the management of
convulsion, leprosy, inflammation and/or
rheumatoid pains (Dalziel, 1948). The methanolic
extract of T. Tetrapleura has been found to be
effective against a freshwater snails such as
Bullinus globusus, Lymnae antalensis, L.
Collumella and Physa waterlotti (Adewunmi and
Marquis 1981, Adewunmi et al.,1989). Water
extract of T. Tetrapleura is also active against
Bulinus globosus (Adewunmi and Marquis
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Phytochemical and Nutrient Evaluation of poly herbal food ……
1987). Extracts obtained from T. Tetrapleura
have been found to exhibit significant anti ulcer
activity confirming its ethnomedical use in the
management of gastrointestinal disorders
especially stomach ulceration (Noamesi et al.,
1992). The extracts from T. Tetrapleura exhibited
anti-convulsant activity which could be linked to
their ability to depress the central nervous system
(Akah and Nwambie, 1993). The ethanolic
extracts and saponins from the stem-bark of T.
Tetrapleura exerted an inhibitory effect on
luteinizing hormone released by pituitary cells
(El-Izzi et al., 1990) suggesting its use as
contraceptive agent.
Mondia whitei is a perennial wood, robust
and vigorous climber that grows from a large
tuberous rootstock. The roots are aromatic and
apparently taste like ginger. M. whitei is endemic
to west, south and east Africa, the plant grows in
dense but in a variety of woodland and forest
habitats. The plant grows as climbers with the
basal portion of the stem usually leafloss. The
leaves and flowers mainly appear in the canopy
of the supporting vegetation. M. whitei has for a
long time been extensively and widely used in the
traditional medicine. It is used as antacid and to
treat indigestion, as a tonic, to stimulate appetite
and infusions of the root used for treating
anorexia and bilharzizsis in Zimbabwe. The roots
are used as an aphrodisiac and for the treatment
erectile dysfunction and impotence. The plant is
also used in the treatment of hypertension, stroke,
anaemia, asthma, hangover, mastitis and
allergies. It is also used in the treatment of sleep
disorder, enhance urination and ease birth pains
(Abdou B et al., 2010, J.R Tabuti, 2006).
This Mishenland polyherbal mixture has
been used in folk medicine for the care of
prostatitis and prostatic hypertrophy. New
theories hold that the herb may inhibit the action
of an important hormone-regulating enzyme that
converts testosterone into dihydro-testosterone, a
process believed to be important in the
Intl. J Chem Pharm Res 2014;3(3): 477-483
development of both an enlarged prostate and
prostate cancer.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The plant material
The leaves were collected from the farm
in Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria in 2010 and
authenticated by Dr Oyeshiku of the plant science
department, Olabisi Onabanjo University,
Voucher specimens of the bulbs Allium sativa,
Allium cepa, Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits and
Mondia whitei were deposited at the department
herbarium.
Chemicals
All chemicals and reagents used were of
analytical grade and obtained from Sigma
Chemical Company and used without further
purification.
Phytochemical screening
Chemical tests were carried out
qualitatively on the extracts and on the powdered
specimens using standard procedures to identify
the amino acids and phytochemical constituents
as described by Edeoga et al. (2005); Sofowora
(1993); Trease and Evans (1996); Harborne
(1973) with little modification.
Test for tannins
About 0.5 g of the dried powdered
samples was boiled in 20 ml of water in a test
tube and then filtered. A few drops of 0.1% ferric
chloride was added and observed for brownish
green or a blue-black colouration.
Test for saponin
About 2 g of the powdered sample was
boiled in 20 ml of distilled water in a water bath
and filtered. 10 ml of the filtrate was mixed with
5 ml of distilled water and shaken vigorously for
a stable persistent froth. The frothing was mixed
with 3 drops of olive oil and shaken vigorously,
then observed for the formation of emulsion.
Test for flavonoids
Three methods were used to determine
the presence of flavonoids in the plant sample
(Sofo-wara, 1993; Harbrone, 1973). 5 ml of
dilute ammonia solution were added to a portion
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Phytochemical and Nutrient Evaluation of poly herbal food ……
Adefule, et al.,
of the aqueous filtrate of each plant extract
followed by addition of concentrated H2S04. A
yellow colouration observed in each extract
indicated the presence of flavonoids. The yellow
colour-ation disappeared on standing. Few drops
of 1% aluminium solution were added to a
portion of each filtrate. A yellow colouration was
observed indicating the presence of flavonoids.
A portion of the powdered plant sample
was in each case heated with 10 ml of ethyl
acetate over a steam bath for 3 min. The mixture
was filtered and 4 ml of the filtrate was shaken
with 1 ml of dilute ammonia solution. A yellow
colouration was observed indicating a positive
test for flavonoids.
Test for cardiac glycosides (Keller-Killani
test)
Five milliliters of each extracts was
treated with 2 ml of glacial acetic acid containing
one drop of ferric chloride solution. This was
underlayed with 1 ml of concentrated sulphuric
acid. A brown ring of the interface indicates a
deoxysugar characteristic of cardenolides. A
violet ring appeared below the brown ring, while
in the acetic acid layer, a greenish ring formed
just gradually throughout thin layer.
Micronutrient determination
Test for the presence of minerals – iron,
phosphorus, sodium, potassium, manganese and
zinc were done following standard procedures via
atomic absorption spectroscopy as described by
Okwu and Josiah (2006) with little modification.
The ground plant samples were sieved with a 2
mm rubber sieve and 2 g of each of the plant
samples were weighed and subjected to dry
washing in a well cleaned porcelain crucible at
550°C in a muffle furnace. The resultant ash was
dissolved in 5 ml of HNO3/HCl/H2O (1:2:3) and
heated gently on a hot plate until brown fumes
disappeared. To the remaining material in each
crucible, 5 ml of deionized water was added and
heated until a colourless solution was obtained.
The mineral solution in each crucible was
transferred into a 100-ml volumetric flask by
filtration through a Whatman No 42 filter paper
and the volume was made to the mark with deionized water. This solution was used for
elemental analysis by atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. A 10-cm long cell was used
and concentration of each element in the sample
was calculated on percentage of dry matter.
3. RESULTS
Table
Qualitative Phytochemical analyses of the plant extracts
Test
Mishenland Polyherbal drug
Tannins
Saponins
Cardiac glycosides
+
Flavonoids
+
All experiments were done in triplicate. Legend: + Present, - Absent.
Table 2: Micronutrient composition of the plant extracts (ppm).
Test
Mishenland Polyherbal drug
Zinc (Zn)
0.5282
Manganese (Mn)
0.2412
Sodium (Na)
325.4
Potassium (K)
411.05
Phosphorus (P)
0.02
Iron (Fe)
0.001
Legend: (n = 3) all tests were done in triplicate and values are expressed as mean ± SEM
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4. DISCUSSION
The cardiac glycosides therapeutically
have the ability to increase the force and power of
the heart-beat without increasing the amount of
oxygen needed by the heart muscle. They can
thus increase the efficiency of the heart and at the
same time steady excess heart beats without
strain to the organ (David, 1983). This will
indirectly help with the amount blood perfusing
the body organs especially the prostate and
accessory sex organs which this herbal mix is
claimed to have effects.
Phenolic content of foods have been said to have
a positive effect on health. Flavonoids constitute
one of the most important groups of phenolic in
plants (Abdou et al., 2010). They are said to have
anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and
anti-aging properties. This explained their use in
folk medicines in management of various
inflammatory conditions and bacterial infections.
In table 2, the result of the mineral composition
clearly showed that Mishenland polyherbal
mixture contains rich source of mineral elements
like Zn, Mn, Na, K, Fe and Mn. Potassium is
necessary for muscular weakness which is
associated with malaria, and also slows down
sclerosis of the vascular system. It contributes to
the fight against bacteria and cleanses the
digestive system. Sodium takes part in the
metabolism of water, promotes digestion,
assimilation, osmosis, cleanses the digestive
system, combats stomach acidity and alkaline the
blood (Claude and Paule, 1979). This is the
reason behind the use of some of the drug
components like garlic and onion as a body fluid
cleanser in herbal remedy (Atta, 1999).
Zinc is a co-factor of more than 300 enzymes,
involved in a variety of general cellular functions,
including signal transcriptional and replication. It
is an essential element for growth, the nervous
system especially the immune system
(Wellinghusen N and Lohar, 1998). Zinc is
bactericidal against a variety of gram positive and
gram negative bacterial (Am Soc of Andrology).
Intl. J Chem Pharm Res 2014;3(3): 477-483
It also interacts with immunologically relevant
mitogen and bacterial stimulants. It is important
in the treatment of common cold, one of the
commonly occurring ailment in the world
(Mossad, S.B et al., 1996), and has been
successfully to restore impaired immune function
in varieties of condition (Wellinghusen, N et al.,
1997).
The herbal mix contains a very low level of Iron
which means that the mix can’t be used against
anaemia, tuberculosis and disorder of growth
(Claude and Paule, 1979). Iron is an energizer but
excess can cause fatigue but we hardly have
excess if taken from natural source (Gbolahan,
2001).
Manganese, according to Claude and Paule
(1979) is necessary for the functioning of the
pituitary gland, the pineal gland and the brain. It
promotes hepato-renal function, combat anaemia
and it is also essential for growth. Since these
leaves contain these elements in different
concentrations, the quantity and the type of leaf
to be taken will depend on the therapeutic need of
the individual and they can also be combined for
an effective result in such cases as diabetes,
cancer, fibroid and tuberculosis. The yellow leaf
is equally used as anti-anaemic agent while the
brown leaf is used as a body cleanser, (Atta,
1990).
Cardiac glycosides found in this polyherbal
mixture are suggestive of their anti-oxidant
action. Cardiac glycosides are reported to be antioxidants and used as anti-inflammatory in the
treatment of capillary fragility. Their presence in
the herb is a proof of the plant potent antioxidant
and membrane stabilizing properties (Iwu, 1993,
Carlsen et al., 2010)
5. CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown the phytochemicals
and minerals composition of Mishenland
polyherbal mixture. This partly shows the use of
this plant in herbal medicine, as a rich source of
phytochemicals, coupled with the presence of the
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Phytochemical and Nutrient Evaluation of poly herbal food ……
essential minerals. MPM can be seen as a
potential source of useful food and drug items.
The presence of cardiac glycosides is good for
the heart function, antioxidants- flavonoids and
mineral-zinc may explains the reason for its used
locally for benign prostatic enlargement in south
western Nigeria. The inherent antioxidant quality
of many herbs is an important contributor to
many herb’s medicinal quality
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