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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 457-66, 2010. Preliminary Phytochemical and Pharmacognostical
Investigation of Pediatrics Antimalarial Laggera pterodonta
(DC) Sch. Bip.: Asteraceae
of Nigerian Origin Okhale,
Samuel Ehiabhi1, Odiniya, Emmanuel
Odiniya1, 2 and Kunle, Oluyemisi Florence1 1Department of
Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine, National Institute for
Pharmaceutical Research & Development (NIPRD), Idu
Industrial Layout, Idu, P.M.B. 21 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria 2Deparment of
Chemistry, Benue state University, Makurdi, Benue
State, Nigeria E-mail: samokhale@yahoo.com Issued April 1, 2010 Abstract Laggera pterodonta
is a reputable ethnomedicinal plant in Nigeria for
the treatment of pediatric malaria and inflammations. The leaves, stem and
root of Laggera Pterodonta
(DC) Sch. Bip (compositae)
were investigated for their phytochemical and thin
layer chromatographic profiles. Twelve secondary metabolites namely
carbohydrates, terpenes, flavonoids,
phenols, tannins, phlobatannins, sterols,
alkaloids, volatile oil, balsams, reins and chlorogenic
acid were detected in all the plant parts. Carbohydrate and resin were
present in the leaves. Saponins were present in the
stem and root. Quantitative pharmacognostic
analysis of the leaves revealed moisture content of 9.57%, total ash of
19.45%, acid-insoluble ash of 2.35%, alcohol extractive value of 16.12%, and
water extractive value of 27.75%. Comparative thin layer chromatography of
the successive cold maceration and soxhlet
extraction using solvents of increasing polarities: hexane, ethyl acetate and
methanol of the leaves, stem and root showed that soxhlet
extraction yielded more components. This is the first report of the presence
of alkaloids in this plant. Key
words: Laggera pterodonta, chemical
composition, alkaloids, antimalaria, pharmacognosy. Introduction The aerial part of
Laggera pterodonta has
been widely used in China as a folk medicine for several centuries to ameliorate
some inflammatory ailments, arthritis, and hepatitis and as anti-viral agents
(Yihang et al.,
2007 and Shuyun et
al., 2007). In Nigeria the fresh aerial part of the plant is used for the
treatment of pediatrics malaria. For this purpose the fresh aerial part of the plant is pounded and water
added, filtered and the filtrate is drunk and the residue is rubbed all over
the body (Muazzam Ibrahim, personal communication,
2009). Laggera
pterodonta (DC) Sch. Bip
belonging to the family Asteraceae/Compositae is a robust herb that grows up to 1.70m in
height. It is viscid and strongly aromatic. It has white flowers, basal
leaves bigger than the upper ones. It is a weed found in open waste land and
partially shaded galleried forest. It is a native of Africa and Asia. In
Africa, it can be found in Senegal, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and West Cameroon.
In Nigeria, the Yorubas refer to it as ‘taba-agbe’, while the Hausas refer to it as ‘taba-taba’ because it resembles tobacco leaves (Burkill 2000). Yihang
et al. (2007) reported that the phenolics from Laggera
pterodonta have hepatoprotective
and anti-oxidant effects on chemical-induced hepatic injury in neonatal rat hepatocytes. L.
pterodonta is also use as aromatic substances
in cosmetics, scents and incense (Burkill 2000).
The main secondary metabolites isolated so far from L. pterodonta
are sesquiterpenoids such as eudesmanoic acids, flavonoids
and phenolic acids of which Isochlorogenic
acid is reputed. Pharmacological investigations revealed that certain extracts
of L. pterodonta possess significant
anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-viral activities (Zhou et al., 2008). Three bioactive
compounds (Fig. 1): 3, 5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (1); 3, 4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2)
and 4, 5-O-dicaffeoylquinic (3)
had been isolated from the aqueous extract of L. pterodonta.
These compounds have been reported to be responsible for the anti-viral,
anti-bacterial and antifungal activities of the plant. The isolation and
purification of these compounds was achieved by high speed counter-current
chromatography (HSCCC) method (Shuyun et al 2007).
The principal component of the phenolic content of L.
pterodonta has been identified as Isochlorogenic acid which is responsible for its hepatoprotective and anti-oxidative effect. This may
support the folkloric use of L. pterodonta
in the treatment of inflammatory ailments, arthritis and hepatitis (Yihang et al.,
2007). Previous investigations on this plant
led to the isolation of 55 eudesmane sesquiterpenes, nine flavonoids;
and eleven compounds which comprises of terpenoids
and flavonoids from the aerial part of the plant
(Liu et al., 2008). The eleven
compounds have been identified as 6-O-beta-d- glucopyranosyl-carvotanacetone,
pterodontic acid (3), 1-beta hydroxyl
pterodontic acid, pterodontoside
A, pterodontriol, pterodotriol
B, 5-hydroxy-3,4׳,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone (4), armitin, chrysosplenetin B, quercetin and beta-sitosterol.
Reports revealed that pterodontic acid and pterodontriol showed moderate activity against bacteria while
they both displayed no activity against E.coli (Guang-zhong,
et al., 2007). Further reports
revealed that three eudesmanoic acid (5)
and two eudesmanoic acid glycosides were isolated
from the n-butanol extracts of whole plant of L. pterodonta (Zhou
-Yu et al., 1997). Chlorogenic acid (6) is the esterification product of quinic
acid (7) and (E)-3-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-prop-2-enoic acid (8).
In view of the rich
medicinal uses of L. pterodonta coupled with
its rich phytochemical profile, L. pterodonta no doubt is a potential drug plant. The
aim of this work therefore is to document the medicinal uses of L. pterodonta and
to evaluate its secondary metabolites constituents and quantitative pharmacognostical characteristics that could be useful
for the development of a monograph on this plant. Materials and Methods The
Plant was collected from Life Camp Abuja, Nigeria. The plant was identified
and authenticated at the herbarium of the National Institute for
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria, where the voucher
specimen (NIPRD/H/6298) was deposited. Plant
preparation: The plant was air-dried for two weeks.
The leaves were dried at room temperature while the stem and roots were
sun-dried. The particle size of the various parts was reduced using a warring
blender and the powdered samples were stored in airtight polythene bags. Phytochemical
screening and quantitative pharmacognostical
analysis: These were carried out using standard
procedures (MHFW 1990, Evans 2002, and Sofowora
2008). Extraction
and thin layer chromatography: Successive
extractions with hexane, Ethylacetate and methanol
were carried out on the powdered samples of all the parts by cold maceration
for 24 hours and soxhlet extraction using 1g and
10g sample respectively. Each extract was spotted on a normal phase silica
gel precoated glass plate previously activated at
1200C for 2 hours, developed using mobile phase hexane-ethyl
acetate (3:1) for hexane and ethyl acetate extracts and hexane-ethyl acetate
-methanol (35:15:1) for methanol extracts. Results
and Discussion Phytochemical
screening of the leaf, stem and root of Laggera
Pterodonta (Table 1) revealed twelve secondary metabolites namely
carbohydrates, terpenes, flavonoids,
phenols, tannins, phlobatannins, sterols, alkaloids,
volatile oil, resins, balsams and chlorogenic acid,
collectively in all the plant parts. Carbohydrates were present only in the
leaves. Saponins were present only in the stem and
root. The presence of these secondary metabolites suggests that L. pterodonta might be of great importance in phytomedicine development. For instance, the presence of flavonoids and resins might be responsible for the use of
this plant to ameliorate inflammatory ailments in China. Yihang
et al., (2007) reported that the flavonoids from L. pterodonta
had anti-inflammatory effect on both acute and chronic-inflammation. The presence of phenols may confer
anti-oxidative, antibacterial and anti-viral effects as reported earlier (Yihang et al.,
2007, Shuyun et
al., 2007 and Wasagu et al., 2005). The presence of alkaloids, tannins and saponins in the plant suggests that it might possess
anti-bacterial activity. Favel et al., (1994) as well as Isaac and Chinwe
(2001) reported that alkaloids along tannins and saponins
are responsible for anti-bacterial activity in Fetracarpidium
Conopheoum. Onoruvwe and Olorunfeni (1998) also attributed the anti-bacterial
effect of the root extract of Dcibrostachys
cinerea to alkaloids, saponins and flavoniods. The presence
of tannins could also mean that it is an astringent, with wound healing and
anti-parasitic properties. Presence of volatile oil in all the parts suggests
its use in natural body cosmetic and scents. The presence of terpenes could suggest that L. pterodonta
of Nigeria origin might
have anti-tumor and antibacterial activities since as reported by Guang-zhong et al 2007 eudesmane
sesquiterpenes isolated from L. pterodonta displayed cytotoxicity
toward tumor cells and possessed anti-bacterial properties. The quantitative pharmacognostic analysis of the leaves revealed moisture
content of 9.57%, total ash of 19.45%, acid-insoluble ash of 2.35%, alcohol
extractive value of 16.12%, and water extractive value of 27.75% as shown in
Table 2. Low moisture content of 9.57% implies that, the plant has low chance
of microbial attack hence can be stored in the dried form as a drug plant for
a long period of time. Ash value of 19.45% value indicates that it has high
inorganic content this may be due to the presence of high non-physiological
ash. Hence, when processing this plant as a drug it should be rinsed
sufficiently in clean water before drying to remove sand. Acid-insoluble ash
value of 2.35% is indicative high digestibility of the plant when consumed.
Water extractive value of 27.72% which is greater than the alcohol extractive
value of 16.12% means water will be a better solvent for extraction of the
plant. This may explain why in Nigeria the fresh aerial part of the plant is used for the
treatment of pediatrics malaria by pounding, mixing it with water, filtering
and drinking the filtrate. The successive cold
maceration and soxhlet extraction using solvents of
increasing polarities: hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol of the leaves, stem
and root showed that soxhlet extraction yielded
more components for all the plant parts investigated compared to cold
maceration. Hence soxhlet extraction would be a
better method of extraction of this plant as shown in Table 3. Components on
the chromatogram were detected using various visualization techniques such as
viewing under daylight (D), ultraviolet light 365 nm (UV) and placement in
iodine vapor tank. The visualization technique that revealed each component
in the chromatogram is indicated in table 3 above. Chemical component with Rf 0.65 visible under daylight and iodine vapor as well
as Rf 1.00 are common to the leaf, stem and root. In conclusion, the
indigenous knowledge on L. pterodonta shows that in Nigeria aerial part of the
plant is reputable for the treatment of pediatrics malaria. The analyses
carried out on this plant shows that L. pterodonta
from Nigerians’ rich in secondary metabolites which could be explored as
potential drug leads and phytomedicines. This study
revealed for the first time the presence of alkaloids in L. pterodonta.
Further studies are on-going in our laboratories to isolate and characterize
the alkaloids in L. pterodonta from Nigeria, investigate their
biological properties and to verify the antimalarial
properties of the plant. Acknowlegement The
authors are grateful to Professor J. I. Okogun, a phytochemist, who collected the plant and for his
technical assistants. We are also grateful to Mallam
Muazzam Ibrahim Wudil, an
ethnobotanist, for providing us with the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant in Nigeria. References Burkill,
H.M. (2000). The Useful Plants of West
Tropical Africa. Royal Botanical Garden, Kew, London Vol. 1, 481pp. Evans,
W.C. (2002). Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy, 15th edition,
W.B. Sanders London, pp. 214 – 314. Favel,
A. Sterinment, M.O., Regli,
P., Vidal-Oliver, E., Elias, R. and Lansard G.
(1994). In vitro antfungal Activity of triterpennoid
saponins. Planta Medica
89-131 and 186-188 Guang-Zhong
Y., Yun-Fang, L., Xin,
Y., Zhi-Nan, M. (2007). Terpenoids
and Flavonoids from Laggera
Pterodonta. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica
42 (5). 511-5 Isaac, O. O. and Chinwe,
J. A. (2001). The phytochemical analysis and
anti-bacterial screening of extracts of Tetracarpidium corophrum.
J. Chemical Society of Nigeria 26
(10) 53-55 Liu, Y. B., Jia,
W. Gao, W.Y., Zhao, A. H., Zhanga,
Y. W. Takaishi, Y. and Duan,
H. Q. (2008). Two eudesmane, sesquiterpenes
from Laggera Pterodonta. Journal
of Asian Natural Products. 8(4); 303-307 MHFW
(1990). The Ayurvedic
pharmcopia of India. Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy,
Government of India, India. Onoruvioe,
O. and Olorunfemi, P.O. (1998). Antibacterial
screening and Pharmacognostical Evaluation of Dichrostachys cinerea
root. West African Journal of BiologicalSscience 7: 91-99 Shuyun,
S., Kelong, H., Yuping,
Z., Yu, Z. and Qizhen, D. (2007). Purification and
Identification
Fig.1.
Bioactive compounds of L. pterodonta. Table 1. Phytochemical
analysis of Laggera pterodonta
leaf, stem and root.
Key: + = Detected; - = Not detected Table 2. Result of Quantitative Pharmacognostical analysis of L. pterodonta leaf.
Table 3. Retardation factors (Rf values) of components in hexane, ethyl acetate and
methanol extracts of L. pterodonta leaf.
Key: LH1 = cold maceration Leaf hexane
extract; LH2 = soxhlet
Leaf hexane extract.
LE1 = cold maceration Leaf ethyl acetate extract; LE2 = soxhlet Leaf ethyl acetate extract. SH1 = cold maceration Stem hexane
extract; SH2 = soxhlet
Stem hexane extract. SE1 = cold maceration Stem ethyl
acetate extract; SE2 = soxhlet Stem ethyl acetate
extract. RH1 = cold maceration Root hexane
extract; RH2 = soxhlet
Root hexane extract. RE1 = cold maceration Root ethyl acetate extract;
RE2 = soxhlet Root ethyl acetate extract. ME = cold maceration Leaf methanol
extract UV = visible under ultraviolet light 365 nm; D
= visible under Daylight; I = visible under iodine vapor; and (DI) = visible
under daylight and iodine vapor. Mobile phase solvent system
used are: hexane-ethyl acetate (3:1) for hexane and ethyl acetate extracts; and hexane-ethyl
acetate -methanol (35:15:1) for methanol extracts. |
