Comparative Proportion of Phytochemical Constituents in Two Potential Anti-cancer Botanicals in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of medicinal herbs for the treatment of various diseases of man is dated back to the pre-scientific era. Informed knowledge by the users and various medicinal plant advocates has been the major hitch in the practice and administration of herbal medicine. This work compared the active ingredients in the leaves of two common anti-cancer botanicals (Vachellia tortilis and Bambusa vulgaris) in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The ethnobotanical survey was carried out through visits to medicinal plant users such as native doctors, farmers, herbalists and medicinal plant dealers within the State. 10g of sample of each medicinal plant measured into the amber bottle with the addition of 20 ml methanol was subjected to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), a method used to separate a mixture of complex samples. Results of the phytochemical analysis revealed Tyranton as the highest phytochemical extract cytotoxic effects towards human carcinoma cells. Vachellia tortilis and Bambusa vulgaris extracts are very useful in the utilization of anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory. These can be recommended to medicinal plant users as being effective against the aforementioned ailments.