PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND INITIAL TLC PROFILING OF TWO POTENTIAL INDIGENOUS MALE CONTRACEPTIVE PLANTS

*Etta Hannah Edim, Ekaluo Utib, Okon Archibong Essien Eneobong Effiom Eneobong

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Phytochemical Evaluation and Initial TLC Profiling of Two Potential Indigenous Male Contraceptive Plants - Phyllanthus amarus (Schum and Thonn.) and Mucuna urens(Linn.) - was carried out. The importance of contraception in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overemphasized. Majority of currently existing contraceptive methods tend to focus on the female body as male contraceptive trials have always proved abortive. The purpose of this investigation is to screen and identify the phytocomponent(s) in these herbs with a view to isolate and further characterize them in order to better understand the pharmacognostic action of the phytocomponent(s). The following tests were employed in this investigation: Glacial acid test, Dragendroff’s test, Foam Test, Alkaline Test, Lead acetate test, Ferric Chloride test, Fehlings Test, Hydrocloric acid test and Borntrager’s test. TLC profiling was carried out using di-ethyl ether: methanol: water (16:1:4) for M. urens, P.amarus and chloroform: ethyl alcohol (16:1) to further evaluate the extracts. Results revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, polyphenols and reducing sugar, in aerial parts of P. amarus and flavonoids, Tannins, Anthraquinones and Steroids in seed extract of M. urens. Rf values obtained ranged from 0.512 – 0.9 in the various solvent systems for the two herbs. Further isolation and characterization of these phyto components is being proposed.

Keywords: Phytochemistry, TLC profiling, Phyllanthus amarus, Mucuna urens, Pharmacognosy.