Phytochemical Investigation Of The Crude And Fractionated Extracts Of Two Nigerian Herbs, Mitragyna inermis (Wild) And Lawsonia inermis (Linn)

Investigation was done to determine the phytochemicals present in the crude extracts and fractions of Mitragyna inermis (Wild) of the family, Rubiceae and Lawsonia inermis (Linn) of the family, Lythraceae- Loose - Strife using standard protocols to ascertain their bioactive molecules of pharmaceutical potentials. Successive extraction of the plant parts was carried out using hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water (aqueous). Eleven fractions were eluted from both plants using column and thin-layer chromatography. The study revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, tannins, steroids and carbohydrates in both plants while anthraquinone was present in only L. inermis. Quantitative study of some of the phytochemicals revealed various percentages ranging from 0.56% (flavonoids) to 21.58% (saponins). Alkaloids and phenols were present in more fractions (M6 - M11) of M. inermis extracts while tannins and anthraquinones were present in more fractions (L6 - L11) of L. inermis extracts than in other fractions. The phytochemicals present in these two plants could be responsible for their various therapeutic uses that have been reported. It is recommended that further research is done to isolate these bioactive molecules in their pure forms and evaluate the dosage required and toxicity levels.