A Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Some Ferns of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study investigated the presence of different phyto constitutents of 11 species of pteridophytes of the Federal Capital Territory using qualitative screening methods. The studied ferns are Adiantum sp, Platycerium stemaria P.Beauv, Cylosorus striatus (Schurn), Ceraptoteris cornuta (P.Beauv)Lepr , Cylosorus afer (Christ)Ching, Marsilea minuta(Linn), Boulbitis heudeoliti (Bory ex. Fee)Alston, Gleichenia linearis (Burn) B. Charke, Pithograma calomelanos (Linn), Nephrolepis cordifolia (Linn)Presl., Nephrolepis undulata(Afzel )ex. Sw. Qualitative analyses of powdered extracts of the ferns were carried out with reference to saponins, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, sterols, alkaloids terpenes, anthraquinoes, resins, glycosides and volatile oil. following standard methods. The analyses indicated that 11 (100%) species contained tanins and flavonoids, 10 (90.90%) phenols, 9 (81%) saponins, 8 (72.72%) terpenes, sterols and resins, 6 (54%) glycosides, 5(45.45%) anthraquinones and volatile oils. Only one species (9.33%) contained alkaloid. The comparative secondary metabolites composition shows that the studied ferns such as Nephrolepis cordifolia (Linn)Presl., Nephrolepis undulata (Afzel)ex. Sw. Pithograma calomelanos, Gleichenia linearis (Burn) B. Charke are close while Adiantum sp is distantly related. The results revealed the occurrence of several bioactive constituents which could p[p[be exploited for their potential applications for medicinal purposes.