Phytochemical profile of Plecranthus esculentus N.E.Br obtained from Zimbabwe authenticates its medicinal uses
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Date
2020
Authors
Tapera, Masimba
Wanjau, Ruth
Machocho, Alex K.
Dzomba, Pamhidzai
Mutsiba, Patience P.
Kaseke, Sydney
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the ethnobotanical uses of Plecranthus esculentus N.E.Br in Makoni
district, Zimbabwe as well as to evaluate the phytochemical profile of aqueous acetonic extract of the plant
tubers using UV-Visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform- Infrared (FTIR) analysis and high performance
liquid chromatography (HPLC).Face to face interviews were conducted among residents of Makoni district in
order to gather information about the ethnobotanical uses of Plecranthus esculentus. The phytochemical profile
of Plecranthus esculentus tubers was determined using UV-Visible spectrophotometry and FTIR analysis after
solvent extraction using conventional phytochemical extraction protocols. High performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to confirm the presence of two selected phenolic compounds. Data
from interviews showed that Plecranthus esculentus is widely used as food and folklore medicine in Makoni
district, Zimbabwe. The UV-Visible and FTIR analysis of the tuber extract showed the presence of
phytochemical compounds with organic chromophores including phenyl, organic hydroxyl, amines, carboxyl,
carbonyl, acyl, alkyl and aromatic compounds. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence kaempferol and vanillic
acid in the tuber extract. The study establishes the common ethnobotanical uses of Plecranthus esculentus and
avails data on the phytochemical profile of Plecranthus esculentus tubers found in Zimbabwe. It also promotes
the use, further study and conservation of the plant basing on its potential phyto-pharmaceutical importance.
Description
A research article published in IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry
Keywords
Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Plecranthus esculentus, Phytochemicals, Folklore medicine
Citation
Tapera, M., Wanjau, R., Machocho, A. K., Dzomba, P., Mutsiba, P. P., & Kaseke, S. Phytochemical profile of Plecranthus esculentus NE Br obtained from Zimbabwe authenticates its medicinal uses.