2019, Vol. 7, Issue 4, Part D

author(s)
Imaobong E Daniel and Uwakmfon A Effiong

abstract
The objective of the present study was to find out the presence of bioactive compounds in the ethanol and acetone extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, a common medicinal plants by both qualitative and quantitative methods, using standard procedures. The results of the preliminary phytochemical screening of the different extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponnins, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phytosteroids, steroids and triterpenes. However, carbohydrates, anthraquinones and coumarins were not detected in any of the extracts. Quantitative estimation of the percentage crude yields of chemical constituents of the different plant extracts studied revealed that cardiac glycosides were the major phytochemical constituent present in highest percentage followed by tannins, while the lowest yield was recorded for saponins in both extracts. The presence of these phytochemical constituents in the different extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana studied validates the ethno pharmacological uses of this plant in the treatment of different illnesses.