Phytoconstituents, Proximate and Mineral Investigations of the Ethanol Extracts of the Bark and Leaves of Ficus sur Forssk.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017
Authors
Odusami, J.A.
Asekunowo, A.K.
Izunobi, J.U.
Ekarica, E.A.
Asekun, O.T.
Familoni, O.B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Qualitative phytochemical screening and nutritional compositions of the leaves and bark of Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae), a Nigerian plant with medicinal potentials, was carried out using standard methods. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, cardenolides and quinones in varying concentrations in the bark and leaves. Anthraquinones were detected in moderate concentrations in the leaves only whereas saponins were not detected in either the leaves or bark. The bark revealed higher contents of alkaloids and tannins than the leaves. Proximate analysis results showed a high carbohydrate but low lipid contents in both leaves and bark of F. sur. The mineral analyses of the leaves and bark, respectively, showed a high concentration of magnesium (93.70 ± 0.50; 93.85 ± 0.50), iron (16.05 ± 0.30; 18.95 ± 0.73), manganese (7.98 ± 0.50; 7.43 ± 0.47) and potassium (9.84 ± 0.35; 7.96 ± 0.25), amongst others.
Most of the other results obtained from the analyses of the ethanolic extracts of the leaves and bark exhibited similar trends; revealing the nutritional and pharmacological potentials of the Ficus sur plant thereby supporting its ethnobotanical use in the management of diarrhoea, diabetes and rheumatism.
Description
Keywords
Ficus sur, medicinal plant, mineral content, phytochemical, proximate analysis