A preliminary investigation into the phytochemicals, vitamins and mineral constituents of the leaf of two tradomedicinal plants – urena lobata and cassia alata used in Nigeria.

Abstract

This paper reports on the chem. constituents and trado medicinal values of ureta lobata and cassia alata leaves which are used locally by tradomedical practioners. The plant leaves were collected from Amoba village in Ikwuano local government area of Abia State Nigeria and analyzed for their phytochems., vitamins and mineral elements using appropriate std. methods. The results show that they contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols and vitamins like ascorbic acid, riboflavin, niacin and thiamin. The major mineral elements include K, Na, Ca, Mg and P while the trace metal elements include Zn, Cu, Se, Ni, Cd and Pb. These constituents of these plants were then used to explain and justify the medicinal potentials of these leaves as claimed by tradomedical practioners. [on SciFinder(R)]