ABSTRACT

Any plant that its part can be used for therapeutic purpose is seen as a medicinal plant.The plant Murraya koenigii a medicinal plant also used as spice was studied. The work entailed chemical analyses involving evaluation of phytochemicals, proximate composition, minerals and vitamins content. It also included chromatographic and spectral analyses of two novel compounds proposed, anti-microbial susceptibility test, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of M.koenigii leaf. The analyses were done using standard methods. Qualitative phytochemical screening of M.keonigii revealed the abundance of saponins and alkaloids while tannin, flavonoid, phenolics, glycosides were detected to be present. Quantitative phytochemical analysis results ranged from saponins 8.86±0,002 % the highest to phenolics 0.02±0.00% the least. The results of the nutritive value comprising proximate composition and vitamin contents were; carbohydrate 41.76± 035%, to protein 4.68±0.01% ; vitamin contents ranged from niacin 2.73±0.150mg/ 100g, to vitamins A and C 0.04±0.001 mg/lOOg each the leasts. The result of the mineral content were found to be magnessium 49.06±0.020 mg/lOOg to potassium and zinc 0.04±001 mg/lOOg each. Chromatographic and spectral analyses of the plant leaf afforded two novel compounds; [21] Undecyl-(3-Oglucopranosyl-10,13dimethyl-cyclopentan phenanthren-17-yl)-2-propanoate and compound [22] 7Ethoxy- 23-hydroxy - cholest-21,27-dinor -4,23-dien- 3,25-dione. GC-MS chemical analysis of M. koenigii leaf revealed the presence of seven bioactive compounds with retention times ranging from 10.320 - 17.046 seconds. They included lH-cyclopropa[3,4] benz [l,2-e]azulene-5-7b,9,9a-tetrol,la,lb,4,4a,5,7a,8,9-octahydro-3-(hydroxymethyl)- 1,1,6,8 tetramethyl-5,9,9a-triacetate(C26H36O8),Ethyl-iso-allocholate (C26H44O5),Morphinan3,14-diol-4,'5-epoxy (Ci6Hi9NC>3),2-[rnethyl-6-(2,6,6, trimethyl cyclo hex-l-enyl) hexa-1- 3,5-trienyl]cyclohex-l-en-l-carboxaldehyde (C23H32O),etc. The result of antimicrobial susceptibility testing including minimum inhibitory concentration gave a good account of the plant leaf as having strong antimicrobial property. The result of anti-inflammatory analysis done with egg albumin induced oedema on rats showed the anti-inflammatory activity of M.koenigii extract capable of stopping or preventing inflammation. The antioxidant activity potential of the M. keonigii was evaluated using the methods of FRAP, DPPH and Hydroxyl radical scavenging. FRAP and DPPH results showed a dose dependent manner which increases absorbance leading to increase in reducing ability ofthe extract. Comparatively the extract did better than vitamin C used as the standard. Similar result was also shown for DPPH assay.The result of the Hydroxyl scavenging assay also gave a good account of antioxidant potential ofM. koenigii.The result showed a dose dependent manner as the higher the concentration 100% inflammation inhibition could be achieved. This study has given credence that the plant is a wonder gift with functional food attributes and strong pharmacological activities which support its use in treating and managing disease and chronic degenerative disorders, hence more research could done to uphold its pharmaceutical benefits.