EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF LOCAL HERBS FOR TREATMENT OF VARIOUS AILMENTS.

Abstract

Ethno-botany is the basic idea about the medicinal properties of plants, identification of its active compounds. Their standardization is important for the production of new drugs. This study sought to assess the Phytochemical and Physicochemical parameters of indigenous herbs obtained from two distinct markets, namely Towobowo and Oja-Ibode, located in Igbo-ora, Ibarapa Central Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo State. Different extracting solvents were used for the samples, such as water, ethanol and N-hexane. Spectrophotometric methods of analysis were used to analyse selected phytochemical and physicochemical parameters. The results revealed that all selected phytochemicals were qualitatively. Total phenols range from 6.492±0.114 to 20.762±0.002. Tannins with range value of 21.146±0.000 to 60.838±0.000, Alkaloids ranged between 3.19±0.02 and 4.32±0.06, Flavonoids had the range value of 9.176±0.12 to 12.304±0.004 while Saponins value ranged from 2.80±0.07 to 5.67±0.00 respectively. For the physicochemical analysis, pH ranges from 4.35±0.01 to 5.81±0.00, Moisture content ranged between 3.72±0.01 and 7.80±0.01, Ash with range value of 7.34±0.02 to 21.05±0.02, percentage  residue on Ignition had the range value of 0.64±0.03 to 3.15±0.02, Water Soluble Ash had the range value of 0.16±0.00 to 2.53±0.03, Hexane extracts have the range value 0.02± 0.00 to 0.09±0.00, Ethanol extracts have the value ranging from 0.11±0.01 to 0.96±0.03 while aqueous extracts have the range value of 1.20±0.02 to 12.25±0.08 respectively. In conclusion, these medicinal plants could be a source of phytochemicals that can be used as raw materials in drug production. It was recommended that; further work should be done to know the anti-microbial effect of the plant as raw materials in pharmaceutical industry.