A REVIEW OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL
COMPOSITION OF THE LEAF EXTRACTS
OF JATHROPHA CURCAS AND PSIDIUM
GUAJAVA.
BY
TYOHON SOLOMON TERUNGWA
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES.
INTRODUCTION
Phytochemistry.
What, How and why.
What: biologically active, naturally occurring chemical compounds found
in plants, which provide health benefits for humans
Examples: phenols, carotenoid, alkaloid, saponins, tannins, Flavonoids
etc.
AIM. To determine the phytochemical composition
of the leaf extracts of Jatropha curcas and
Psidium guajava.
OBJECTIVES: To reveal the constituents of the
plant extracts and the one that predominates
over the others.
To know the importance and uses of these
phytochemical constituents of the various leaves
of plant extracts.
The how:
Major techniques in phytochemical screening.
Paper
chromatography spectroscopy
Biochemical tests.
(Nadia and Eleazar. 2018)
The Why.
To reveal the constituents of the plant extracts
Helpful in searching for bioactive agents that can be used in the
synthesis of useful drugs
Health benefits
Protects plants from disease and damage
They contribute to plant color, aroma and flavor
Chemicals the protect plants cells from environmental hazards as pollution,
stress, drought, UV exposure and pathogenic attack are called
phytochemicals
Jatropha Curcas Common names in English include physic
nut,
Barbados nut, poison nut, bubble bush or
purging nut.
Jatropha is from the family euphorbiaceae
Jatropha is derived from the greek word
‘‘jatros’’ (doctor) and ‘‘trophe” (food), (Kumar
and Sharma. 2008)
Easily propagated by seed, stem cutting and
tissue culture. (Kaushik. N. 2003) (Dasumiati
et al 2017)
Traditional medicine: medicine for wounds and
drinks for malaria
Cure diarrhea, dysentery, stomachache, skin
infections, etc.
haemostatic agent
tetanus
Jatropha oil is used as a main source for
PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF LEAF EXTRACT OF J. CURCAS
The leaves of Jatropha curcas contain apigenin, vitexin and isovitexin. α
-amyrin, stigmasterol, stigmastenes along with two new flavonoids
founds in leaves and twigs.
In summary, the phytochemical study revealed the presence of steroids,
flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, triterpenoids, tannins and carbohydrate.
(Ahirrao RA et al 2011)
Antioxidants responsible for the lessening or prevention of the effects of
free radicals
Psidium guajava
It is a member of the Myrtaceae family, with about
133 genera and more than 3,800 species.
common English name (guava). In Nigeria, it is called
guava (Hausa), gurfa (Yoruba) and Gwaibwa (Igbo)
also known as the ‘poor man’s apple’(Shruthi et al.,
2011)
In folk medicine, the leaves are used in treatment of
conditions such as malaria, gastroenteritis, vomiting,
diarrhea, dysentery wounds, ulcers, toothache,
coughs, sore throat, inflamed gums and a number of
other conditions (Begum et al., 2002)
a single common guava (P. guajava) fruit contains
about four times the amount of vitamin C as an
orange (Hassimotto et al., 2008)
PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF LEAF EXTRACT OF PSIDIUM
GUAJAVA
The phytochemicals detected in the leaves of P. guajava, phenolics and
flavonoids demonstrate many biological activities, such as antioxidant,
antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and wound healing
properties,
steroids are known to have antibacterial, insecticidal and cardiotonic
properties,
saponins can treat diabetes.
Quicertin is thought to contribute to the anti diarrhea effect of this
extract.
terpenoids have been used to alleviate human diseases such as cancer,
malaria, inflammation and various infectious diseases.(Vikrant Arya et
al, 2012).
Conclusion
Jatropha curcas and Psidium guajava have been widely reported for their
medicinal value.
They both show cytotoxicity on certain cells.
Chewing of guava leaves are commonly used in rural areas for
therapeutic applications. This implies many phytochemicals were
identified in medicinal plant Psidium guajava L. by using standard
qualitative and quantitative methods
They both exhibit anti malaria activity
They both exhibit antioxidant activity
Recommendation
Indigenous knowledge on use of these medicinal plants should be
recognized, protected and promoted since they are found to have the
major bioactive compounds that can inhibit the growth of
microorganism.
The community should be encouraged to conserve and cultivate the
important medicinal plants which grow around us since they have been
found to possess high antimicrobial activity. This is to reduce chances of
being cleared from the indigenous forests.
More work on these plants is encouraged in order to isolate, purify and
characterize the bioactive component(s) in them.
Thank you all for listening.
