Phytochemistry of selected Gambian traditional medicinal plants

Abstract

Traditional medicine has played a crucial role in the treatment and management of different human diseases since centuries ago in many African communities and traditions. Plants are a potent source of food and medicine in African communities. Malaria, diabetes, and parasitic diseases are common in Africa and cases can reach alarming levels occasionally. In this research, we studied the phytochemical constituents of popular plants in traditional medicine in The Gambia. The leaves of Cassia tora (Fabaceae), Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) and Vernonia amygdalina (Asteraceae), the bark of Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae), and roots of Cassia sieberiana (Fabaceae) respectively, were extracted by maceration in ethanol (90%). The samples (crude ethanol extract, n-hexane, and DCM fractions) were screened for phytochemical profile. The ethanol extract, n-hexane, and DCM fractions revealed Alkaloids, Saponins, Tannins, Phenol, Steroids, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, and Quinones. These phytochemicals are suggested to contribute to the efficacy of the plants in traditional medicinal application in The Gambia. It is hoped that the findings in this research will contribute to chemistry education through research on African medicinal plants and their healing properties.