Phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of the leaves of Laportea aestuans (Linn.) Chew and Laportea ovalifolia (Schumach.) Chew (male and female)

Phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of the leaves of Laportea aestuans and Laportea ovalifolia (male and female) leaves are for the treatment of urinary problems, diabetes, asthma, stroke, kidney problems and pain in Nigeria and other countries were investigated. Chemomicroscopic of the powdered leaves revealed the presence of protein, starch, calcium oxalate crystals, mucilage and tannins. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phlobatanins, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides (Salkowski’s and Keller killiani test) while anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides (Lieberman’s test) were completely absent in all the two species and quantitative evaluation gave the moisture contents is (12.73%) in L. aestuans, (12.2%) in L. ovalifolia (male) and (11.8%) (female), ash contents are (14.44%) in L. aestuans, (20%) in L. ovalifolia (male) and (17.2%) in L. ovalifolia (female) and insoluble ash of (1.52%) in L. aestuans, (3.99%) in L. ovalifolia (male) and (1.88%) (female). The results suggest that each of the species is highly distinct from each other.

Author(s): U.A.Essiett*, N.I.Edet and D.N.Bala

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