Assessment of Phytochemical, Mineral and Proximate contents of African Black Night Shade (Solanum nigrum) Used for Bone Fracture Treatment by Traditional Bone Healers in Ogodo, Ankpa Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to assess the phytochemical, mineral and proximate contents of leaves of African black night shade (Solanum nigrum) using appropriate standard methods. The phytochemical constituents evaluated are flavonoid (22.05 ± 0.04), steroids (17.56 mg/100g), phenol (14.11 mg/100g), tannins (5.22 mg/100g), terpenoids (3.62 mg/100g), alkaloids (3.10 mg/100g) and saponins (1.70 mg/100g). Also, the proximate constituents evaluated are moisture (8.05 %), ash (42.00 %), crude fat (7.15 %), crude fibre (17.40 %), crude protein (22.06 %) and carbohydrate (28.54 %). Furthermore, the mineral evaluation showed potassium (424.01 mg/100g), calcium (258.00 mg/100g), sodium (179.81 mg/100g), magnesium (278.23 mg/100g), phosphorous (381.27 mg/100g), iron (14.43 mg/100g), zinc (0.81 mg/100g), copper (0.56 mg/100g), sulphur (10.73 mg/100g) and manganese (19.22 mg/100g). The high content of calcium, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium could be responsible for its bone healing potential as acclaimed by the traditional healers. Thus, the outcome of this work supports the validity of it’s use in the treatment of bone fracture by traditional bone healers in Ogodo, Ankpa LGA of Kogi State. It has also unveiled its potentials for dietary supplements in our daily food intake. Thus a new theory on bone fracture treatment and management may be arrived at.