A Study On Screening And Quantification Of Phytochemicals In The Aqueous Extract Of Vernonia Amygdalina Leaf

ABSTRACT

Vernonia amygdalina (V.amygdalina) is a tropical plant whose leaves have been proven to have medicinal benefits. It has been used by natives as a remedy against constipation, malaria fever, high blood pressure and many bacterial infections, due to its proven antimicrobial activity. Recently, V.amygdalina has been used as an ethinomedicinal solution to persistent fever, headache, and joint pain associated with AIDS. Previous studies of the aqueous leaf extracts have reported saponins, steroids, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones being present in the crude leaf extract and probably responsible for the activities. This study examined the components of the crude extract, the extractive values of different solvents, along with the quantities of some of the different phytochemicals in the leaf aqueous extract. Obtained data revealed the presence of numerous phytochemicals; water, ethanol and chloroform extractive values are 24%w/w, 12%w/w and 4%w/w; and percentage content of some crude phytochemicals present are 54%w/w flavonoid, 29%w/w triterpenoids, 5%w/w Saponins, 14%w/w tannins and 4%w/w alkaloids.