World Journal of Medical Sciences 13 (3): 213-217, 2016

ISSN 1817-3055
© IDOSI Publications, 2016
DOI: 10.5829/[Link].2016.213.217

Evaluation of the Phytochemical and Nutritional Profiles of

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Leaf Collected in Abakaliki South East Nigeria
1
O.U. Orji, 1U.A. Ibiam, 1P.M. Aja, 1P.C. Ugwu Okechukwu,
1
A.J. Uraku, 3C. Aloke, 2O.D. Obasi and 1B.U. Nwali

Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State University, Abakalik, Nigeria

1

2
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakalik, Nigeria
3
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study investigated the phytochemical contents and nutritional profile of Cnidoscolus
aconitifolius leaf collected from Abakaliki Southeast Nigeria. The phytochemical, proximate and mineral content
analyses were done using standard methods, whereas vitamin concentrations were evaluated using HPLC
method. The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids,
alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins and absence of phlobatanins, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones and cardiac
glycosides. Further quantitative phytochemical analysis in (mg/100g) revealed that phenols, saponins, alkaloids
and flavonoids contain 33.02±0.32; 6.305±0.13; 1.96 ±0.26 and 2.955±0.09, respectively. Proximate composition
(%) showed that carbohydrate, proteins, crude fat, moisture, ash content and crude fibre contains 41.895, 7.68,
1.145, 13.53, 4.585 and 31.165, respectively. The results of vitamin analysis in (mg/100g) of vitamin A, vitamin
B2, vitamin B1, vitamin B9, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K corresponds to 59.6445, 5.84, 1.36, 9.425,
892.025, 88.992 and 69.785, respectively and concentrations of minerals in (mg/100g) of Phosphorus, Copper,
Zinc, Iron, Calcium, Potassium and Sodium were 24.68, 7.1, 15.64, 14.83, 29.16, 33.88 and 41.47 respectively. This
investigation shows that Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf from Southeast Nigeria contains high medicinal and
nutritional compositions which could be exploited beneficially in treatment of diseases as well as nutritional
supplements.

Key words: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf Phytochemical Proximate Vitamin Mineral HPLC

INTRODUCTION On the other hand, nutritional interest in most plants

stems basically from their rich contents of essential amino
Generally, plants could either be ornamental, acids, carbohydrate, lipids, vitamins and minerals.
medicinal, as well as nutritional, hence there has been a Carbohydrates and lipids are primary suppliers of energy,
high level of reliance on plants as a whole by both man amino –acids are for growth and repair of worn out tissues
and animals for survival [1]. Medicinal plants seemed to whereas vitamins play a very significant role in
be the most researched due to its use over the years in maintenance of health and making great contributions to
rural communities to treat infections and diseases, with a healthy immune system as well as provisions of all the
a lot of positive results, thus making them the richest nutrients necessary for good health [4, 5].Minerals also
bio-resource of drugs in traditional system of medicine. helps in maintenance of all physiological processes,
They also function as medicaments. These medicinal acting sometimes as catalysts and are major constituents
values of plants reside majorly in some chemically active of teeth, bones, tissues, blood, muscle and nerve cells.
compounds that produce a definite physiological action Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (family-Euphorbiaceae),
on the human and animal body [2]. Thorough scientific commonly called chaya is a leafy perennial shrub native
investigations of these phytochemicals go a long way in of Yucatan peninsula of Mexico in Central America [6, 7].
their proper use for treatment of diseases in medicine and The plant which is also called spinach tree is consumed as
new drug development in the pharmaceutical field [3]. vegetable in soups, salads and therapeutically used for a

Corresponding Author: O.U. Orji, Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
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 World J. Med. Sci., 13 (3): 213-217, 2016

number of ailments such as diabetes, artherosclerosis, Phytochemical Screening: The leaves extract of
gallstone and high cholesterol [8]. Chaya is a good source Cnidoscolus aconitifolius were analyzed for the presence
of protein, vitamins, calcium and iron; and is also a rich of Alkaloid, Saponin, Anthraquinone, Steroids, Tannin,
source of antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E as well as Flavonoid, Phlobatanin, Terpenoids, Phenol and Cardiac
Flavonoids [9] and have a possible antidiabetic effect [10]. glycosides according to standard methods [11].
This study evaluates the phytochemical content and
nutritional profile (proximate,vitamins and minerals Determination of Phytochemical Composition:
composition) of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius collected from Quantitative phytochemical analysis to determine the
Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria. level of Alkaloids, Tannins, Saponins, Phlobatanin,
Phenol, Anthraquinone, Steriods, Terpenoids, Flavonoid
and Cardiac glycosides using standard methods as
described by Sofowora, 2008 [11] and Trease and Evans,
1985 [12] were carried out.

Proximate Analysis: The determination and evaluation of

carbohydrate content, moisture content, ash content,
crude fiber, proteins and crude fat was done using the
methods decribed by AOAC [15].

Fig. 1: Leaf of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Determination of Vitamins: High Performance Liquid

Chromatographic system (Shi- madzu-UFLC Prominence),
MATERIALS AND METHODS equipped with an auto sampler (Model-SIL 20AC HT) and
UV-Visible detector (Model-SPD 20A) was used for the
Chemicals and Reagents: HPLC-grade solvents were analysis. The data were recorded using LC-solutions
used for analysis. Analytical reagent-grade acetonitrile software. The HPLC method was employed in the
and methanol were obtained from Lab-Scan (Tedia determination of vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, C, D, E and K
Company, USA). The water used for HPLC and sampling contents.
was prepared with a Millipore Simplicity instrument
(Millipore, Molsheim, France). All vitamin standards were Mineral Analysis: Mineral contents of Cnidoscolus
of chromatography grade and were purchased from Sigma aconitifolius leaf were determined using UNICAM solar
Chemical Co. (Poole, Dorset). All other chemicals and 969 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for elements
reagents were of standard analytical grades. such as P, Fe, K, Na, Zn, Ca and Cu.

Sample Collection: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius plants were RESULTS

collected from a location in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria.
The leaves were removed, cleaned and air dried at room Phytochemicals: The results of the qualitative and
temperature range of 250C-28oC for about 30days before quantitative analysis of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is
they were grinded to powder using a blending machine represented in the Tables 1 and 2
and then stored for use in the analysis. Further ethanolic
Phytochemicals: Table 1 showing the qualitative
extract of the leaves of the plant were prepared according
composition of phytochemicals in Cnidoscolus
to standard methods [11].
aconitifolius leaf.
Table 2 Shows that phenol, flavonoids, saponin and
Preparation of the Plant Extract: The plant samples
alkaloid compositions of the plant were 33.02±0.32,
collected were air dried and grinded using the blending
2.955±0.09, 6.305 ±0.13 and 1.96±0.26 (mg/100g)
machine. The powdered extracts were concentrated to respectively
dryness and the residue was obtained as a greenish after Table 3 shows that the proximate contents of the
which, the residues were transferred into a pre-weighed plants were 41.895, 7.68, 1.145, 13.53, 4.585 and 31.165
sample containers and were stored and later used for (100%) respectively for carbohydrates, protein, crude fat,
phytochemical screening. moisture, ash and crude fibre.

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Table 1: Shows the presence of phenol, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids Table 5 shows the mineral compositions of the plant
and saponins.
in mg/ 100g as follows; phosphorus 24.68, copper 7.1, zinc
Phenol +
15.64, iron 14.83, calcium 29.16, potassium 33.88 and
Flavonoid +
Phlobatanin -
sodium 41.47.
Tannin -
Alkaloid + DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Terpenoid +
Steroid - Phytochemical constituents are responsible for
Saponin +
medicinal activity of plant species. The qualitative
Anthraquinone -
Cardiac glycoside - phytochemical screening and Nutritional evaluation of
Presence (+) the leaf of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius showed the
Absence (-) presence of Phenols, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Terpenoids
and Saponins which are in agreement with those obtained
Table 2: Quantitative compositions of phytochemicals present in
by Peixoto et al., [13] and Price et al. [14]. Generally, the
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf
evaluation of chemical components of plants furnishes
Phytochemicals Sample composition (mg/100g)
Phenol 33.02±0.32
vital information about the phytochemicals for discovery
Flavonoid 2.955±0.09 of new drugs and clue compounds for other applications
Saponin 6.305± 0.13 [5].
Alkaloid 1.96± 0.26 Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves have high content
of phenols (33.02 mg/100g). This was quite expected as
Table 3: Proximate content of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf
many species of this genus are known for their high
Proximate Concentration (100%)
phenolic content. The presence of phenol is a clear
Carbohydrate 41.895
Protein 7.68
indication that the plant; Cnidoscolus aconitifolius can
Crude fat 1.145 be exploited in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of many
Moisture 13.53 disease conditions. The presence of phenols makes the
Ash 4.585 plant a potential cancer therapy because phenols are well
Crude fibre 31.165 known for the enormous ability to combat cancer.
The alkaloids content of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius
Table 4: Vitamins composition of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf
leaves was relatively small (1.96 mg/100g), likewise the
Vitamins Composition (mg/100g)
Vitamin C 892.025
flavonoids content which is (2.955mg/100mg). The
Vitamin B2 5.84 presence of flavonoids is in agreement with those
Vitamin B1 1.36 reported by Peixoto et al., [13], of substantial amount of
Vitamin B9 9.425 flavonoids especially in aerial parts of Cnidoscolus
Vitamin A 59.6445 species and Yuan et al. [1], who reported isolation of
Vitamin D 88.992
fifteen flavonoids from Cnidoscolus aconitifolius;
Vitamin E 69.785
Vitamin K - however, it is in contrast with those reported by
Awoyinka et al. [2].
Table 5: Minerals composition of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf The leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius had
Minerals Composition (mg/100g) appreciable quantity of Saponins (6.305mg/100mg).This is
Phosphorus 24.68 in agreement with those reported by Awoyinka et al. [2].
Copper 7.1
Saponins protect against hyperglycaemia,
Zinc 15.64
Iron 14.83
hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension [12], have antibiotic
Calcium 29.16 properties and anti-inflammatory property and aid healing
Potassium 33.88 [14]. Saponins natural tendency to ward off microbes
Sodium 41.47 makes them an effective therapy for fungal and yeast
infections. Saponin serves as natural antibiotics, which
Table 4 shows the vitamin compositions of the plant help the body to fight infections and microbial actions. Its
in mg/100g as follows; vitamin C 892.025, vitamin B1 1.36, presence makes Cnidoscolus aconitifolius a potential
vitamin B2 5.84, vitamin B9 9.425, vitamin A 59.6445, antibiotics drug. The presence of terpenoids also justifies
vitamin D 88.992 and vitamin E 69.785 and supports the use of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in the

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treatment of bacterial infections because Terpenes are the mucosa, the reduction of folic acid intermediates and
active against bacteria; it also serves as anti-diarrheal the synthesis of cortisol. Its deficiency includes fragility
agent [12]. to blood capillaries gum decay, scurvy [10]. The Vitamin
Similarly, phlobatanins were not detected; this is in A content of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is important
agreement with those reported by Awoyinka et al. [2]. for normal vision, gene expression, growth and immune
Tannin was absent which is in contrast to a previous function by its maintenance of epithelial cell functions
study reported by Araújo et al. [7], who reported its [11].
presence and attributed the healing and anti-inflammatory Vitamin E just like Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant
activities of Cnidoscolus species with its tannin content, which helps to protect cells from damage by free radicals
this may probably due to solvent effect. Hence, this plant and it is vital for the formation and normal function of red
could be suitable for these purposes. Cardiac glycosides blood cells and muscles [10]. Adequate supply of dietary
was not detected, this is in contrast with those reported antioxidants may prevent or delay diabetes complications
by Trease and Evans [12] and Olayinka et al. [5] on the including renal and neural dysfunction by providing
presence of cardiac glycosides and its use for over two protection against oxidative stress [5]. B complex vitamins
centuries as stimulants in cases of cardiac failure which found in Cnidoscolus aconitifolius are essential for
perhaps justifies the already locally established function growth, development and a variety of other bodily
of the plant in the treatment and management of functions. They play a major role in the activities of
hypertension [12, 14], this perhaps might be as a result of enzymes [4].
methods and effect of solvents on the extract. The mineral evaluation revealed the presence of
The potential of a particular food or plant is Phosphorus (P), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Calcium
determined primarily by its nutrient composition. The (Ca), Potassium (K) and Sodium (Na). The result of the
nutritional evaluation of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius analysis showed that the sodium content (41.47mg/100g)
revealed the presence of proximate such as carbohydrate, was the highest and copper content (7.1mg/100g) was the
protein, crude fat, moisture, ash and crude fiber. least. The presence of sodium and potassium to such
The results of the nutrient composition revealed that extent shows that the plant can be used in the
the carbohydrate content (41.895%) was the highest, management and treatment of diseases associated with
while crude fat was the least (1.145%). Protein content the central nervous systems and also in the prevention of
was found to be at (7.68), the ash content (4.585%), CNS associated disease condition. This is because
moisture content (13.53%) and crude fibre (31.165%). Potassium and sodium ions are known activators of
The high presence of carbohydrate, crude fibre and energy potentials across nerve membrane. Calcium (Ca) is
moisture content are clear indication that it’s nutritional an important factor in fibrinect formation which forms
essence. fibrinogen and subsequently fibrin and collagen. Fibrin
Ash content of a plant based food is the function of which is a clotting factor responsible for homeostasis
the mineral elements present. Its presence shows that together with calcium ions may serve as replenishment in
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius possesses mineral elements. diarrheic conditions, maintenance of normal nervous
Other important proximate available includes crude fat and function and gut peristalsis.
crude protein which are in appreciable quantity. Their Phosphorus and copper also aids in brain function.
presence goes further to expose the nutritional benefit of Iron plays a vital part in blood function and this may
the leaf. explains the traditional use of this plant as blood booster.
The vitamin evaluation revealed the presence of Zinc is an essential component of more than 10 important
Vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, C, D and E. The result showed that enzymatic functions of the body and without zinc, the
Vitamin C content (892.025mg/100g) was the highest while body will quickly lose overall function and results in a
vitamin B1 was the least (1.36mg/100g). Vitamin A is at number of health concerns, including an inability to heal
(59.6445mg/100g), Vitamin B2 (5.84mg/100g), Vitamin B9 wounds, store insulin, fight off disease, develop proper
(9.425mg/100g), Vitamin D (88.992mg/100g) and Vitamin E growth patterns, as well as defend against a variety of
(69.785mg/100g). The high content of Vitamin C is a clear skin infections. Previous investigation of the mineral
indication that Cnidoscolus aconitifolius can serve as an content of Cnisdoscolu saconitifolius has shown that it
antioxidant. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that contains Magnesium which is also important in many
facilitates the transport and uptake of non-heme iron at intermediary metabolism and enzymatic actions.

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Conclusion and Recommendation: The results of this 7. Araújo, T.A.S., N.L. Alencar, E.L.C. Amorim and U.P.
study showed that the leaves of Cnidoscolus Albuquerque, 2008. A new approach to study
aconitifolius contain useful chemical compounds that medicinal plants with tannins and flavonoids
are both medicinal and nutritional which can be utilized contents from the local knowledge. Journal of
for chemotherapeutical purposes and nutritional Ethnopharmacology, 120: 72-80.
supplements. However it is recommended that anti- 8. Kuti, J.O. and H.B. Konuru, 2004. Antioxidant
nutrients investigations using variety of solvents capacity and phenolic content in leaf extracts of tree
should further be carried out to ensure its complete safety spinach (Cnidoscolus spp.). Journal of Agriculture
for human consumption. and Food Chemistry, 14: 117-121.
9. Bartlett, H.E. and F. Eperjesi, 2008. Nutritional
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