Phytochemical and Nutritional Constituents of Leaf Extracts of Two Edible Medicinal Plants in Nigeria: A Comparative Appraisal

Humanity has constantly sought empirical treatments for health problems and nutritional deficits since the 20th century. In this regard, synthetic medications have been in extensive use. However, their applications in such conditions are often accompanied by negative side effects coupled with accounts of the development of resistance, which has driven an increase in the quest for creative alternatives like plant-based medications. Thus, botanicals derived from plants with medicinal attributes are an indispensable component of existence today. They enhance good health particularly for residents in remote areas where access to appropriate nutrition and healthcare is often a challenge. In the present investigation, the phytochemical and nutritional constituents of ethanol leaf extracts of two significant plants with nutritional and therapeutic relevance, Dennettia tripetala, and Aframomum melegueta, were comparatively examined through the exploration of established protocols. In the phytochemical investigation, D. tripetala has a predominance of alkaloids (4.91%), terpenes (3.03%), saponins (3.76%), flavonoids (6.10%), and tannins (5.89%). Contrarily, no significant difference (p> 0.05) was observed in the cardiac glycoside contents of D. tripetala (2.25%), and A. melegueta (2.38%). The proximate data shows a greater proportion of moisture (13.11%), protein (10.54%), fibre (5.01%) and carbohydrate (59.36%) contents in D. tripetala. However, A. melegueta had a greater quantity of ash, and lipids (11.76 %, and 7.46%) than D. tripetala (6.52%, and 5.42%). The elemental assessment of the leaves shows that the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorous in A. melegueta were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of D. tripetala. The opposite results were obtained for the levels of Zinc and Copper in A. melegueta and D. tripetala respectively. Therefore, the differential compositions of the chemical components present in leaf extracts of the two plants have given an insight into the best source of active principles and nutrients among them, to exploit in medicinal preparations and diet formulations for combating diseased conditions induced by pathogenic organisms and nutritional inadequacies respectively.