Comprehensive Nutritional and Phytochemical Analysis of Selected West African Medicinal Plants with Antiparasitic Properties
Keywords:
Antiparasitic plants; Corchorus olitorius; ethnomedicine; Lagenaria siceraria; nutraceutical potential; phytochemical profilingAbstract
Traditional medicinal plants remain pivotal in West African communities for the management of parasitic infections. However, systematic characterization of their nutritional and phytochemical profiles is limited, constraining pharmacological validation and potential nutraceutical development. This study comprehensively evaluated the proximate composition and phytochemical constituents of five commonly used medicinal plants: Lagenaria siceraria, Corchorus olitorius, Ocimum gratissimum, Mangifera indica, and Newbouldia laevis. Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, and processed into ethanolic extracts. Proximate analyses, including protein, lipid, carbohydrate, fiber, ash, and moisture content, were conducted following AOAC (2019) protocols, while qualitative phytochemical screening assessed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, anthraquinones, deoxy sugars, and phlobatannins. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results demonstrated substantial interspecies variation. L. siceraria contained the highest protein content (61.17 ± 4.25%), suggesting both nutritional and bioactive peptide potential. C. olitorius exhibited the highest lipid concentration (32.93 ± 1.09%), potentially facilitating solubilization of hydrophobic phytochemicals. Carbohydrate, fiber, and moisture content varied significantly across species, highlighting species-specific contributions to diet and pharmacology. Phytochemical screening revealed universal presence of alkaloids, steroids, and deoxy sugars, while tannins, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, and phlobatannins showed species-specific distribution. Notably, L. siceraria exhibited the broadest phytochemical spectrum, supporting its traditional use against parasitic infections. The integration of nutritional and phytochemical data underscores potential synergistic effects, whereby macronutrients may enhance bioavailability and efficacy of bioactive compounds. These findings validate ethnomedicinal practices and provide a foundational reference for isolating active compounds, evaluating pharmacological efficacy, and guiding future nutraceutical development.
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