Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis of Methanol Extracts of Phragmanthera incana (schum) Leaves Parasitized on South-West-Nigeria Host Trees

Abstract

Phragmanthera incana (Schum), a specie of mistletoe, belonging to the family Loranthaceae, is a hemi-parasitic plant growing on trees in South-Western part of Nigeria. The phytochemical constituents of P. incana from four host trees; Psidium guajava (guava), Cola acuminata (kolanut), Anacardium occidentale (cashew) and Mangifera indica (mango) were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively following standard protocols. The Qualitative screening showed the presence of tannins, anthraquinone, flavonoids, phenols, reducing sugar, cardiac glycosides, terpernoids, saponin and steroids in all the four selected host trees. Quantitative evaluation showed a significantly high (p < 0.05) Phenol and Steroid contents in P. incana from cashew tree when compared with P. incana from guava, kolanut and mango trees. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in Saponin, Terpernoids and Cardiac glycosides was recorded in P. incana from mango tree when compared with P. incana from cashew, guava and kolanut trees while a significantly high (p < 0.05) reducing sugar was in P. incana from kolanut tree when compared with P. incana leaves from cashew, guava and mango trees. It can be concluded that the plant has immense potential to be used in the area of pharmacology and as a prospective target for drug formulation. Key Words: Phytochemicals, Phragmanthera incana, Mistletoes, Hemi-parasitic plants