PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND BIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF Hyoscyamus aureus L. LEAF EXTRACT /
OMOBOYEDE OLUWAPELUMI OJO; SUPERVISOR: ASST. PROF. DR. EMMANUEL MSHELIA HALILU
- xii, 71 sheets; 31 cm. 1 CD-ROM
Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Pharmacognosy Department
Includes bibliography (sheets 67-71)
ABSTRACT Hyoscyamus aureus L belongs to the family Solanaceae. This plant has been used both in ancient times and in modern medicine for the treatment of certain disease conditions such as the relief of pain, anti-inflammation, relieves constipation, extra palpitations of the heart, for the relief of cough, treatment of rheumatism, and in the rejuvenation of the body tissues and cells. This research was aimed to investigate the phytochemicals, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the leaf extract, the plant was equally subjected to macroscopic, physicochemical, and microscopic examinations. The macroscopic examination of the plant showed that it is brownish green when powdered, has a characteristic smell, has a characteristic taste and a gritty texture, while the microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of microscopic structures such as the stomata and the trichomes. Physicochemical analyses were carried out and values obtained such as moisture content= 5.5%, ash content= 6.0%, acid insoluble ash= 1.0%, alcohol soluble value= 5.0%, water soluble value= 2.0% and the petroleum ether soluble value = 8%. Phytochemical screening carried out shows the presence of some compounds such as the alkaloids, most especially the tropane alkaloids, flavonoids, quinones which has been associated with numerous health benefits. Evaluation of antioxidant was done and indicated scavenging activity of 87.81%, 95.19%, 95.79%, 96.15%, 96.03% for the plant extract at a concentration of 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25 and 0.625 respectively, using DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity indicated 4.08%, 9.86%, 14.44%, 18.96%, 31.88% for the plant extract at a concentration of 10, 5,2.5,1.25, and 0.625 respectively. Also, the β-carotene antioxidant scavenging activity was carried out, and the activity indicated 76.70%, 78.05%, 78.90%, 81.65%, 82.40% for the plant extract at a concentration of 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, and 0.625 respectively. Anti-bacterial using bacterial strains was done using the Agar disk diffusion method. The plant extract shows positive results which ranges between 2- 5mm for the plant extract, inhibition zones were clearly indicated. This therefore implies that Hyoscyamus aureus can be used against bacteria strains and as antioxidants as indicated by the clear inhibition zones and scavenging activity, respectively. In conclusion, the research shows that Hyoscyamus aureus leaf extract is embedded with so many phytochemicals that can be used in drug formulation. Keywords: Antioxidants, Anti-microbial activity, Hyoscyamus Aureus, Phytochemicals screening, Tropane alkaloids