Phytochemical analysis of of the leaves of three piliostigma species (piliostigma malabaricum, piliostigma thonningii and piliostigma reticulatum). Njoku, Benson C

ABSTRACT

The phytochemical analysis of Piliostigma malabaricum, Piliostigma thonningii and Piliostigma reticulatum were investigated. The dried leaves were used for the ana ysis. e resu s o t e phytochemical constituents ofthe plants are as follows. ^\P^\a!abariCUm foQx101d ^36^flavonoid, (1.520), saponins (6.168), phenols (0.413), tannins (0.728) and steroid (2.312) all for the leaf extracts. The leaf extracts s owe ig m alkaloids contents but low phenols. For P. thonningii alkaloid (1 284) flavonoid (0.269), saponins (5.384), phenols (0.563), tannins (0.669) and steroid (1.389) all for the leaf extracts. The leaf extracts showed low flavonoid contents but high in saponins. For P. reticulatum alkaloid (3.084), flavonoid (0.508), saponins (7.116), phenols (0.092), tannins (0.238), and steroid (6.883) all for the leaf extracts. The leaf extracts showed low phenols contents but high in saponins. P. thonningii had the highest phytochemical constituents. The result suggests that these plants could be used as raw materials for drug production in the pharmaceutical companies.