ABSTRACT

The Acanthaceae of plant is an important source of therapeutic drugs. Justicia Carnea is the largest genus of Acanthaceae. This present work aims at evaluating the bioactive, phytochemical, Antioxidant and Proximate analysis of the leaves of Justicia Carnea using standard methods. Results of the phytochemical analysis carried out on the leaves showed that the leaves contain very high level of Phenols (178.0±0. 137%), Reducing Sugars (90.44±0.035%), Flavonoids (74.42±0.040%), Terpenoids (66.10±0.056%), Alkaloids (36.83±0.581%), Tannins (21.39±0.031%), Saponins (7.643±0,040%), Glycoside (7.553±0.050%), Steroids (6.483±0.067%), Soluble Carbohydrates (5.437±0.035%), and Hydrogen Cyanide (1.185±0.026%). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the concentration of Phenols, Reducing Sugars, Flavonoids, and Terpenoids compared to other phytochemicals (Soluble Carbohydrates, Tannins, Steroids, Saponins, Alkaloids, Glycosides and Hydrogen Cyanide) detected. The invitro antioxidant screening of FRAP, SOD, DPPH, NO2, OH, H202, TAC, at 2000mg/ml showed antioxidant activity values of 98.16, 82.758, 81.481, 77.778, 75.904, 53.750, and 7.250 respectively. Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) have the highest percentage inhibition values of (98.106), which there was a high significant values (P<0.05) between FRAP, DPPH, NO2, OH, H202and TAC. Proximate analysis of the leaves revealed also high significant (P<0.05) level of Carbohydrate (6.687±1.114%), Fibre (4.224±0.040%), Moisture (3.464±0.038%), Ash (2.986±0.026%), Fat (2.421±0.087%), and protein (1.996±0.050). The result obtained in this present work will inspire new biomedical applications, therefore the leaves of Justicia carnea should be recommended as a potential source of useful bioactive constituents which can be consumed as vegetable supplement and contain no toxic effect and serves as an effective haematinic.