Ethnobotanical survey and comparative active ingredients in the leaves of two anti-measle botanicals in Osun state, Nigeria

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used in treatment of human ailments and diseases before the advent of science. Paucity of knowledge of the active ingredients is a major setback in the practice of herbal medicine. This work compared the active ingredients in the leaves of two common anti-measle botanicals (Calotropis procera, Vernonia amygdalina) in Osun State, Nigeria. The ethnobotanical survey was carried out through visits to medicinal plant users such as native doctors, farmers, herbalists and the medicinal plant dealers within the State. 10g of sample of each medicinal plant measured into the amber bottle with the addition of 20ml methanol was subjected to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC); a method used to separate mixture of complex samples. Results of the phytochemical analysis revealed Calotropis procera having Tyranton as the highest phytochemical extract which possessess cytotoxic effects towards human viral infections. Calotropis procera and Vernonia amygdalina extracts are very useful in the utilization of anti-measle infection. These can be recommended to the medicinal plant users as being effective against the aforementioned ailment.