Chemical and Medicinal Properties of Rauwolfia vomitoria (AFZEL) Harvested from the South Eastern Nigeria
Iwu Irenus Chinonye
Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Chinonye Chijioke
Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
C. Samuel Iwuji *
Department Biomedical Technology Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Obiagwu Ifeoma
Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Uchenna Onu Lynda
Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Ukaoma Adanma Augusta
Department of Biological Sciences Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Chijioke-Okere Maureen
Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Ezekoye. Miracle Oluchukwu
Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This work was carried out to evaluate the chemical constituents of the leaf of Rauwolfia vomitoria and to determine the activities of the extract on some selected human pathogens
Study Design: The study was designed to characterize the compounds in the extract and to determine their medicinal applications
Place and Duration of Study: The work was done at the Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Owerri
Methodology: Standard assay technique was used to evaluate the phytochemical content of the sample. GC-MS analysis was carried out on the chloroform extract of the sample. The anti microbial activities were determines using the well agar diffusion method
Results: The analysis of the components of the leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel revealed the presence of 34 compounds with their molecular masses molecular weights and structures, all elucidated. The initial phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids 1.92%, saponins 1.12% , flavonoids 1.15% and cardiac glycosides, the extract showed marked inhibition of the growth of certain human pathogens with inhibition diameters recorded against Klebsiella pnuemonia, 22 mm, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18 mm,Aspergillis niger 24 mm and Mucor specie 9 mm but was resistant to Streptococcus specie.The extract contain anti cancer,anti-tumuor antioxidant, anti-inflammatory ,cardioprotectives compounds which inludes phytol, Vitamin E, Campestrol, sistosterol, squalene, lupeol and vaccenic acid.
Conclusion: Owing to the identified properties of the sample ,Rauwofia vomitoria leaf is excellent ingredient for the treatment of diaeases related to Klebsiella pnuemonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Aspergillis niger and Mucor specie and also for the treatment cancer, tumuor, inflammation, arthritis,beingn prostate hyperplasia, fibromyalgia, allergies, coronary heart.
Keywords: Rauwolfia vomitoria, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, antitumour, phytochemicals, pathogens