Phytochemical and Toxicological Studies of Methanol and Chloroform Fractions of Acanthus montanus Leaves

Joshua E. Parker, Ukegbu Y. Chimere, Nwike P. Chinenye, Ikpe Uzoma, Ezeani Echezona, Orhonigbe O. Innocent and Nweje-Anyalowu C. Paul

Background and Objective: Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is a shrub widespread in Africa, used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases due to the biologically active compounds present in the plants. Hence, this study evaluated the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents of the methanol and chloroform fractions of Acanthus montanus leaves and any possible toxicity effect. Materials and Methods: The plant material was macerated in methanol and chloroform in a 1:1 ratio, phytochemical analysis of the methanol and chloroform fractions were done using standard methods. Results: Qualitative phytochemical tests revealed that the methanol fraction was rich in alkaloids, reducing sugars, carbohydrates and phenols while the chloroform fraction is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and phenols. The quantitative phytochemical tests of the methanol fraction revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides and steroids, while chloroform fraction revealed Phenols as carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, terpenoids, tannins and steroids. Conclusion: The presence of phytochemicals in various proportions in chloroform and methanol fractions also showed that phytochemicals are chemically active compounds that contain polar and non-polar regions thus making it easier to detect the region of the active compounds.

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