The Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Investigation of Crinum Species in Ethiopia
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
International Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology 2019; 3(1): 1-9 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijpp doi: 10.11648/j.ijpp.20190301.11 ISSN: 2640-4281 (Print); ISSN: 2640-429X (Online) The Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Investigation of Crinum Species in Ethiopia Asnakech Senbeta 1, *, Tesfaye Awas 2, Abdella Gure 3 1Crop & Horticulture Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2Forest & Range Land Plants Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 3Department of Forestry, Wondo Genet College of Forestry & Natural Resources, Hawassa Universities, Wondo Genet, Ethiopia Email address: *Corresponding author To cite this article: Asnakech Senbeta, Tesfaye Awas, Abdella Gure. The Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Investigation of Crinum Species in Ethiopia. International Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. Vol. 3, No. 1, 2019, pp. 1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpp.20190301.11 Received : May 13, 2019; Accepted : June 13, 2019; Published : July 2, 2019 Abstract: Medicinal plants have a long history of use in most communities all over the world. Plants have the ability to synthesize a wide diversity of chemical compounds that uses to perform important biological functions. Many of Genus Crinum has been broadly used in traditional and ethno-medicines in the world wide. The aims of this study were to investigate the qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals constituents of the four species of the genus Crinum that exists in Ethiopia. All experiments were follow standard procedures. For the purpose of conducting phytochemical analyses on the four species each, three to six bulbs were collected from Field Gene Banks, Botanical Gardens and local fields. The bulb samples were cleaned, dried and crushed into powder. In this study the cold extraction methods were used the extraction solvents such as: n-hexane, ethanol, methanol and water. As a result of the phytochemical analyses, it revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenols in Crinum abyssinicum and Crinum bambusetum species. Likewise, it confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins in Crinum macowanii. Moreover, it confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins Crinum ornatum. The chemical constituents revealed the presence of relatively high concentration of alkaloids (9.66%), saponins (19.72%), phenols (10.33%), and tannins (0.61%) in the bulbs of Crinum bambusetum. Similarly, the highest concentration of flavonoids (27.72%) was recorded from the bulbs of Crinum ornatum. As more phytochemicals constituents are being identified and tested, traditional uses of the Crinum are being verified. Accordingly, the evidence on the chemical constituents of the species explains the uses of the plants. Therefore, it is worthwhile to recommend the use of the phytochemical constituents of the species studied for Pharmaceutical use in the treatment of different diseases. Keywords: Crinum Abyssinicum, Crinum Bambusetum, Crinum Macowanii, Crinum Ornatum, Bulbs, Phytochemical Screening, Qualitative, Quantitative America. Globally, around 180 Crinum species were 1. Introduction described [2-4]. Out of these, four species are found in Medicinal plants have a long history of use in most Ethiopia: namely, Crinum abyssinicum , Crinum bambusetum, communities throughout the world. Nature has been a source Crinum macowanii and Crinum ornatum [5]. Crinum of medicinal agents for thousands of years. Plants which have abyssinicum and Crinum bambusetum are endemic species of one or more of its organs containing substances that can be Ethiopia [5]. used for the healing purpose, are called medicinal plants [1]. Generally, bulbs of Crinum species are used to treat Genus Crinum is one of the medicinal plants that belong to several diseases, like antitumor, anti-coughs and colds, the family Amaryllidaceae, It comprises of an ‘eye-catching immune-stimulating, analgesic, antiviral, anti-malarial, group’ of tropical and sub-tropical lilies distributed in almost antibacterial, antifungal activities, etc [6]. In Ethiopia, every part of the world, mainly in Africa, Asia, Australia and Crinum abyssinicum is used for treatment of Hypertension 2 Asnakech Senbeta et al. : The Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Investigation of Crinum Species in Ethiopia [7], animals’ internal parasites [8] and Hepatitis B treatment 2.3. Phytochemical Screening and Skin infection [9]. In addition to this, Ethiopian traditional healers’ used Crinum species for the treatment of 2.3.1. Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis cancer, asthma, colds, malarial, so on. Due to an endless Phytochemical screening of various constituents of Crinum source of bioactive principles, economic importance and species were carried out by standard methods [1, 14-19] as medicinal purposes of Crinum , it needs especial attention for described below investigation of phytochemical constituents. Phytochemicals i. Alkaloids. are natural compounds found in plants that are responsible For each test 0.5 g extracts were dissolved in 5 ml of dilute for the colour, taste and aroma of foods [10]. Internationally, (1%) hydrochloric acid on a steam bath and filtered with about 35 crinum species have been investigated for cotton in test tube. phytochemical constituents, whereas the largest number of Mayer’s Test: 1 ml of filtrates was treated with a few drops the species yet to be studied [11]. The chemistry and of Mayer’s reagent (Potassium Mercuric Iodide). Formation economic importance of Crinum species have never been of a yellow coloured precipitate indicates the presence of studied in-depth in Ethiopia, suggesting that due to lack of alkaloids. awareness about their significance, these species are not Hager’s Test: 1 ml of filtrates was treated with a few drops accorded the necessary intervention to save them by the rural of Hager’s reagent (saturated picric acid solution) formation communities. In order to promote their use at a larger scale of crystalline yellow precipitate indicates the Presence of and improve their socioeconomic contributions, alkaloids. phytochemical investigations are necessary to isolate diverse Dragendroff’s Test: 1 ml of filtrates was treated with a few classes of compounds contained in their bulbs. The aim of drops of Dragendroff’s reagent (solution of Potassium this study was to analyze the major phytochemical Bismuth Iodide). Formation of Orange red precipitate constituents of the four species of the bulbs of genus Crinum indicates the presence of alkaloids. that are known from Ethiopia. ii. Flavonoids. Alkaline reagent test: 0.1g extract were mixed with 2ml of 2% solution of NaOH, an intense yellow colour was formed 2. Materials and Methods which turned colorless on addition of few drops of diluted 2.1. Collection and Identification of Plant Materials H2SO 4 acid which indicated the presence of flavonoids. Lead acetate Test: 0.1g extracts dissolved with 5ml A healthy fresh bulb of Crinum species were collected solvent, 2ml of the solutions were treated with 3-5 drops of from our institute medicinal plant field gene banks, botanical 10% lead acetate solution. Formation of yellow or orange gardens and local fields that not from protected areas it gazer color precipitate indicates the presence of flavonoids. from highly disturbed grazing fields and no specific Ammonia test: 0.1g extracts were mixed with 2ml of 10% permission was required for collection. Identification of the NH 4OH solution with few drops of concentrated H 2SO 4, plant was made by a botanist at Ethiopian Biodiversity yellow color formed which turned colorless indicated the Institute (Dr Tesfaye Awas) who is expert in the flora of the presence of flavonoids. collection site and a voucher specimen was deposited at the iii. Phenols. Herbarium of Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute under voucher 0.5g of each extracts were dissolved by 10 ml of each number Tesfaye Awas and Asnakech Senbeta 2644 ( Crinum solvents than filter it with cotton. abyssinicum ), Tesfaye Awas and Asnakech Senbeta 2645 Alkaline reagent: 1ml of extract was mixed with 2ml of (Crinum bambusetum ), Tesfaye Awas and Asnakech Senbeta 2% solution of NaOH, an intense yellow color fade to 2646 ( Crinum ornatum ) and Tesfaye Awas and Asnakech colorless. Senbeta 2647 ( Crinum macowanii ). Lead acetate test: When 2 ml of extract was treated with few drops of 5% lead acetate solution, white precipitates 2.2. Preparation of Sample and Extracts appeared. The bulbs were cleaned, cut into small pieces and air dried Ferric Chloride Test: 2 ml extracts were treated with 3-4 in laboratory at room temperature [12]. After drying, the drops of 5% ferric chloride solution. Formation of bluish materials were ground into fine powder and stored it until black color indicates the presence of phenols. use. The sample extraction were done by macerated in cold iv. Tannins. solvent in 1: 4 ratios for 72 hours through proceeding from The extract 0.5 g was boiled in 10 ml of each solvent in a non-polar to polar solvent; i.e., n-Hexane, ethanol, methanol test tube for 5 min then the mixture was filtered by cotton and water [13]. Extracts obtained were filtered, concentrated and use for the tests. and evaporated into solid extracts under room temperature. Test with Iron salts: crude extract show colour reaction Then the extracted materials were stored in a refrigerator at with iron salt like FeCl 3 and K4Fe (CN) 6 in presence of 4°C until they were used