International Journal of Green and Herbal Chemistry - IJGHC

IJGHC; March 2013 – May 2013; Vol.2, No.2, 306-311.
E-ISSN: 2278-3229
Research Article
International Journal of Green and Herbal Chemistry
CODEN (USA): IJGHAY
An International Peer Review E-3 Journal of Sciences
Available online at www.ijghc.com
Green Chemistry
A Preliminary Screening of Some Rattan Species Available
in South Western, Nigeria for Medicinal Uses
1 *Okunola O. J., 2 Uzairu, A., 3 Oladapo A., 3 Apene. E., 1 Sangodare, R. S. A.
and 1 Lasisi, A. A.
1 National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, P. M. B. 1052, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
3 Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, P. M. B. 2273, Afaka, Kaduna, Nigeria
Received: 12 April 2013; Revised: 14 May 2013; Accepted: 17 May 2013
Abstract:The study was conducted to screen for the phytochemical constituents of
Eremospatha macrocarpa, Calamus deeratus, Laccosperma secondiflorum and
Oncocalamus wrightanus all of genera of rattan. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of
the four rattan species revealed the presence of tannin, steroids, reducing sugar, saponin,
cardiac glycoside, alkaloid and flavonoid except for Eremospatha macrocarpa that show
the absence of reducing sugar. Similarly, the quantitative analysis of the rattan species
revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids. Statistical analysis of
the content of leaf, stem and root of the species studied indicated significant variation (p <
0.05) were found in Eremospatha macrocarpa, Calamus deeratus and Oncocalamus
wrightanus for tannin, Laccosperma secondiflorum and Calamus deeratus for saponin,
Eremospatha macrocarpa and Laccosperma secondiflorum for alkaloid. From the results of
the analysis it has revealed further potentials of these four Rattan species in the area of
pharmacology as potential source of useful drugs. This study therefore has provided some
biochemical basis for ethno pharmacological uses of these plants in the treatment and
prevention of various diseases and disorders.
Keywords: Rattan species, Southern, Nigeria, Phytochemistry
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INTRODUCTION
Rattans are climbing palms belonging to the Calamoideae, a large sub-family of the palm family (Palmae
or Araceae). About 600 different species of rattan belonging to 13 genera are concentrated solely in the
Old World tropics. They are characterized by overlapping refluxed scales on the fruit, and all are spiny, a
necessary pre-adaptation to the climbing habit 1. Some species are shrubby palms of the forest undergrowth
and do not climb; nevertheless, reproductive features link them with other species that are climbers, and
they are hence included in the rattan genera. Of the thirteen genera of rattan, four (Eremospatha, Calamus,
Laccosperma and Oncocalamus) are endemic to Africa, particularly West Africa. Although, some of the
species within these genera utilized locally for medicinal purposes and form the base of a thriving cottage
industry, they have only recently begun to attract attention from commercial concerns 2 .
From literature search, no scientific investigations have been conducted until date to screen these rattan
species for possible medicinal use, hence, our decision to investigate the phytochemical constituents of the
aqueous leaf, stem and root extract of the plant in this study.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Collection of plant samples: The plant materials are collected from local area. Fresh leaves and roots are
collected and shade dried under room temperature. The dried leaves and roots grained into a coarse
powder. The dried powdered leaves and roots macerated by using mortar, pestle, and used for further
investigations. The plants are processed and analyzed.
Processing of plant samples: Fresh leaves and roots are collected and shade dried under room
temperature. The dried leaves and roots are grained into a coarse powder The dried powdered leaves
and roots were macerated by using mortar and pestle and used for further investigations. The plants are
processed and analyzed. The leaves of the plants are properly washed in tap water and then rinsed in
distilled water. The rinsed leaves dried in an oven at a temperature of 35°C for 3 days. The dried leaves of
each plant pulverized, using a sterile electric blender, to obtain a powered form. The powdered form of
these plants is stored in airtight glass containers, protected from sunlight until required for analysis.
Preparation of aqueous extract of plant samples: The aqueous extract of each plant sample is prepared
by soaking 10g of powdered samples in 200 ml of distilled water for 12h. The extracts are then filtered
using filter paper or Whatman filter paper.
Phytochemical analysis: Qualitative analyses such as tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids,
terpenoids, steroids, reducing sugar, alkaloid and cardiac glycosides and quantitative analyses are
conducted on the aqueous extract of each plant sample and of the powdered form of the plant samples
using methods according to Edeoga et al. 3
RESULTS
Qualitative analysis: The phytochemical screening of the plants studied as summarized in Table 1 showed
that the leaves stem and root were rich in tannin, steroids, reducing sugar, saponin, cardiac glycoside,
alkaloid and flavonoid with exception of Eremospatha macrocarpa which revealed no presence of
reducing sugar. Phlobatannins were not detected in any of the plants studied.
Quantitative analysis: The results of quantitative analysis on four major groups of phytochemical
constituents in the medicinal plants is summarized and shown in Table 2. Laccosperma secondiflorum
have the highest yield of tannin ranging from 6.3 (stem) – 16% (root), followed by Calamus deeratus
which range from 5.7 (leaves) – 8.7% (root). Oncocalamus wrightanus contain ranged of 5.4 (stem) –
7.6% (root) of tannin while Eremospatha macrocarpa has the lowest yield of tannin, which range of 3.0
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(root) – 4.7% (leaves) with exception of Eremospatha macrocarpa high yield of tannin were found in root
of the studied Rattan species. For saponin, Eremospatha macrocarpa showed the highest concentration of
saponin, followed by Calamus deeratus, Laccosperma secondiflorum and Oncocalamus wrightanus has
the lowest concentration of saponins. The alkaloids quantity in the plants showed highest concentration in
Oncocalamus wrightanus (leaves), followed by Laccosperma secondiflorum (leaves), Eremospatha
macrocarpa (leaves) and Calamus deeratus (leaves) has the lowest concentration of alkaloids.
Oncocalamus wrightanus (leaves) produced the highest yield of flavonoid, which is 23%, closely followed
by Laccosperma secondiflorum (leaves), Calamus deeratus (root), and Eremospatha macrocarpa (leaves)
produced the least amount of flavonoids. The alkaloids quantity in the plants showed highest concentration
in Oncocalamus wrightanus (leaves), followed by Laccosperma secondiflorum (leaves), Eremospatha
macrocarpa (leaves) and Calamus deeratus (leaves) has the lowest concentration of alkaloids.
Oncocalamus wrightanus (leaves) produced the highest yield of flavonoid, which is 23%, closely followed
by Laccosperma secondiflorum (leaves), Calamus deeratus (root), and Eremospatha macrocarpa (leaves)
produced the least amount of flavonoids.
Statistical analysis carried out using SPSS version 17. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) s used.
Values of P < 0.05 considered significant. Between leaf, stem and root of each plant species studied,
significant variation (p < 0.05) were found in Eremospatha macrocarpa, Calamus deeratus and
Oncocalamus wrightanus for tannin, Laccosperma secondiflorum and Calamus deeratus for saponin,
Eremospatha macrocarpa and Laccosperma secondiflorum for alkaloid. No significant variations found
for flavonoid among others. Across the leaves stem and root of all the plants, significant variation (p <
0.05) found for tannin, saponin, alkaloid and flavonoid with no significant variation in root for tannin and
leaf for flavonoid. The result of this study is supported by the report of Modusolomuo et al. 4 who also
reported that the roots and pods (fruit) pulp shows the presence of four active principles; tannins, saponins,
quinones and alkaloid, which are of varying concentrations. Elujoba 5 reported that variation may occur in
bioactive compounds of the same plant due to different environment where they are found. The presence of
these phytochemical components in Rattan species provides an empirical basis for its traditional medicinal
uses. Phytochemicals have been reported to have medicinal uses 6 .
Steroids found to be present in all the plants. This indicates that all the investigated plants contained
steroidal compounds. It should be noted that steroidal compounds are of importance and interest in
pharmacy due to their relationship with such compounds as sex hormones 7 . This may be the reason the root
of all the studied plants used as vegetable for expectant mothers or breast feeding mothers to ensure their
hormonal balance, since steroidal structure could serve as potent starting material in synthesis of these
hormones 7 .
The presence of saponins in Table 1 is a reason why the leaves used traditionally to cleanse and purify
blood because one of saponins medicinal uses is as a gentle blood cleanser 8 . Rattan species also prevent
damage caused by free radicals in the body by neutralizing them. This can be explained by the presence of
flavonoids in all the studied plant, as flavonoids are known to act as antioxidant. Antioxidants neutralize
highly unstable and extremely reactive molecules, called free radicals, which attack the cells of human
body every day 9 . Free radical damage is believed to contribute to a variety of health problems, including
cancer, heart disease and aging 9 . Flavonoids as anti-oxidants also have anti- inflammatory properties due to
their inhibitory effects on enzymes involved in the production of the chemical mediator of inflammation
10 .The presence of alkaloids and saponins (Table 2) in all the studied plants of Rattan species explains why
the plants could be used for hypertension treatment 11-14 . The presence of tannins (Table 1) also aids in
wound healing 16 .
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Table- 1: Qualitative Analysis of the Phytochemical of the Rattan Species Available in South Western Nigeria
Test Laccosperma secondiflorum Eremospatha macrocarpa Calamus deeratus Oncocalamus wrightanus
L S R L S R L S R L S R
Tannin + + + + + + + + + + + +
Steroids + + + + + + + + + + + +
Reducing sugar + + + - - - + + + + + +
Saponin + + + + + + + + + + + +
Cardiac Glycoside + + + + + + + + + + + +
Alkaloid + + + + + + + + + + + +
Phlobatannin - - - - - - - - - - - -
Flavonoid + + + + + + + + + + + +
L:Leaves; S:Stem; R:Root
Table -2: Quantitative Analysis of the Phytochemical of the Rattan Species Available in South Western Nigeria
Test Laccosperma secondiflorum Eremospatha macrocarpa Calamus deeratus Oncocalamus wrightanus
L S R L S R L S R L S R
Tannin (%) 14.60±0.02 6.30±0.02 16.00±0.10 4.70±0.20 3.50±0.10 3.00±0.10 5.70±0.19 7.40±0.14 8.70±0.20 7.60±0.12 5.40±0.28 6.60±0.23
Saponin (%) 17.90±0.10 17.50±0.01 12.50±0.20 20.80±0.40 19.90±0.30 8.30±0.02 15.50±0.29 19.20±0.50 17.20±0.37 2.10±0.34 11.40±0.23 10.70±0.45
Alkaloid (%) 7.00±0.30 4.00±0.03 6.00±0.01 6.00±0.30 5.00±0.10 4.00±0.30 2.00±0.26 3.00±0.23 5.00±0.12 14.00±0.52 4.00±0.08 4.00±0.17
Flavonoid (%) 22.00±0.01 8.00±0.10 11.00±0.10 1.00±0.10 8.00±0.40 14.00±0.01 7.00±0.41 9.00±0.34 18.00±0.32 23.00±0.57 8.00±0.12 10.00±0.56
L:Leaves; S:Stem; R:Root
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Cardiac glycosides were found to be present in all the Rattan species studied, a compound that has been
shown to aid in treatment for congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia. This is another reason why
this plant is widely used in traditional medicine. Cardiac glycosides work by inhibiting the Na + /K + pump.
This causes an increase in the level of sodium ions in the myocytes, which then leads to a rise in the level
of calcium ions. This inhibition increases the amount of Ca + ions available for contraction of the heart
muscle, improves cardiac output and reduces distention of the heart 16 . Flavonoids as anti-oxidants also
have anti- inflammatory properties due to their inhibitory effects on enzymes involved in the production
of the chemical mediator of inflammation 10 .
CONCLUSION
From the results of the analysis, it has revealed further potentials of these four Rattan species in the area
of pharmacology as potential source of useful drugs. This study therefore has provided some biochemical
basis for ethno pharmacological uses of these plants in the treatment and prevention of various diseases
and disorders.
References
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Corresponding Author: Okunola O. J;
National Research Institute for Chemical Technology,
P. M. B. 1052, Zaria, Nigeria
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