Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Comparative Analysis of Phytochemical Composition of Four Selected Tropical Medicinal Plants Namely: Ocimum gratissimum, Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina

Bob I. A. Mgbeje, Ezekiel Udo Umoh, Christine Emmanuel-Ikpeme

Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research · pp. 1–11 · Published 25 Jun 2019

10.9734/jocamr/2019/v7i330102

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the phytochemical composition of the leaves of four selected tropical medicinal plants namely: Ocimum gratissimum, Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina. Methodology: The phytochemicals in the plant leaves were extracted by cold maceration in ethanol and subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phytochemicals. Results: The qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed the presence of the bioactive compounds alkaloids, Saponins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, polyphenols, specific cardiac glycosides, tannins, phytates and reducing compound in the leaves of each plant at varying quantities. Resins were only detected in O. gratissimum. From the quantitative analysis, Gongronema latifolium had the highest percentage content of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins and reducing sugars. Ocimum gratissimum had the highest flavonoid content. Conclusion: Taken together, G. latifolium on balance had a higher phytochemical content than the other three plants and thus should be more versatile in the treatment of a whole range of diseases. This was followed by V. amygdalina, O. gratissimum and P. guineense in that order. The fact that most of these phytochemicals have antioxidant activity may be responsible for their antidiabetic activities and use in treatment of other free radical prone diseases.

Phytochemical composition tropical medicinal plants Ocimum gratissimum Piper guineense Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina.

Cited by 8

Review on knowledge and perceptions on utilization of traditional contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Nigeria

A. Ogunlakin, O. M. Banwo, Adebowale Oluwaseun Alamu · Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy · 2026

In vitro and Ruminal Characteristics of the Three Selected Nigerian Herbs: Phyllanthus amarus, Ocimum gratissimum and Lactuca taraxacifolia as Feed Additives in Ruminant Production

Ogunbosoye Dupe Olufunke, A. Isaac, Raji Akeem Olayemi · Turkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology · 2026

Gongronema latifolium and Telfairia occidentalis extracts modulate Aflatoxin-B1-induced hepatorenal oxidative damage in Wistar rats

S. Usin, O. Daramola, Gershom Olajire Akanmu · Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences · 2025

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

0

Page views

0

PDF downloads

0

Outbound clicks

8

Citations

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

No views recorded yet.

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

No traffic recorded yet.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.