Phytochemical Study of Underutilized Leaves of Cola acuminata and C. nitida
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Citation: Phytochemical Study of Underutilized Leaves of Cola acuminata and C. nitida. American Research Journal of Biosciences; V4, I1; pp: 1-7
Copyright This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract:
Human dependence on natural crude drugs as remedies increases day after day and there are still very many plants/ plant parts whose medicinal values are yet to be established. Research is still ongoing to bridge the gap by extracting the active ingredients in plants for preparation of useful drugs by pharmaceutical industries. Interestingly, the medicinal values of the nuts, barks and roots of the two species of Cola in the present study have been reported by some researchers. However, there is no information regarding the phytochemistry of the leaves of this species. Therefore, the present study is the first to provide information on the phytochemistry of leaves of Cola acuminata and C. nitida. The Phytochemistry of the leaves was carried out using standard procedures. The results of the study revealed the presence of useful phytochemicals. Averages of 70.03 ± 23.34(mgQE/g), 22.96 ± 7.65(mgGAE/g), 13.44 ± 4.48(mgTAE/g), 1.01 ± 0.34(mg/g), and 0.16 ± 0.05(mg/g) were the quantities of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkanoids and saponins in the leaf of C.nitida respectively. Whereas, the leaf of C. acuminata contained 26.71 ± 12.24 (mgQE/g), 23.52 ± 7.84(mgGAE/g), 15.32 ± 5.11(mgTAE/g), 1.23 ± 0.41(mg/g) and 0.22 ± 0.07(mg/g) of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkanoids and saponins respectively. The relevance of the phytochemicals was discussed with a view to increasing the utility of the leaves by humans.
Keywords: underutilized, leaves, phytochemicals
Description:
INTRODUCTION
Cola acuminata is a tree that grows up to 20m tall, usually
less in cultivation. The bole commonly branches close to the ground. It is
claimed in Nigeria that the root has aphrodisiac property. It is used in the
Borno area as a stimulant. The leaves, not specifically reported to contain any
active principle, are also said to be taken in Borno as a stimulant (Burkill,
2000). The fruit is composed of up to 5 carpels, to 20cm long by 6cm broad,
with as many as 14 seed covered with a white skin. The number of cotyledons is
usually 3-5. The seeds are generally red or pink, but occasionally white. The
latter are preferred, commanding a higher price and have special significance
for ritual. A tree may have nuts of different colours, but self-pollinated
white bearing trees produce only white nuts.
The bark shows a strong presence of alkaloid. In Congo and
Ivory Coast, Preparations are recommended for abdominal troubles generally,
especially of women, in palm-wine or pulped in water taken by draught or in
enema as an ecbolic. Bark has use in bronchial affection as an expectorant and
with a little salt and seed of Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) to relieve cough
and colic. It is said to cause release of bile. A decoction has healing
property in cleansing sores and maturating furuncles and buboes. The bark mixed
with bark of Khaya (Meliaceae) is said to produce a brown dye (Irvine, 1961 and
Gill, 1992).
Like its counterpart, C. nitida, it has much importance in
social life. The tree is respected. Some races plant a seed to commemorate a
social event, birth, marriage, etc. Other races consider this impious, and the
person doing so will die when that tree flowers. The stock of trees is
maintained by the transplanting of naturally produced seedlings. The nut has
many religions and magical uses. It is commonly an offering to the spirits and
genies, and a masticatory during initiations, and a stimulant tonic dances
(Burkill, 2000). Yoruba invoke it in an Odu incantation to enable one to wage a
successful fight.
Caffeine content of the nuts is 1-21/2%.
Theobromine is recorded as 0.0023%, tannin 1.618% with a considerable amount of
fructose. Two phenolic substances are recorded, kolatin and kolatein, and other
substances. Caffeine is an excitant of the central nervous system, a mental,
muscular, respiratory and cardiac stimulant. The nuts are chewed for their
stimulant property, though excessive intake can be dangerous. A red pigment,
known as “Cola Red†is present in the seed. This is thought to be a part of the
tannin content (Burkill, 2000).
Cola nitida on the other hand, is a shrub or tree that grows
up to 18m tall, usually less, slightly buttressed to 1m high with a short bole
above to 2m girth, bearing a crown of slender ascending branches. It is a shrub
of lowland rain- forest, indigenous to Guinea and Ghana but introduced into
central Africa. Cultivation has assumed much importance in Nigeria. The bark is
used in Liberia in infusion to relieve the pain of fire-burns. In Gabon an
infusion of powdered bark is taken to relieve colic, to promote release of
bile, and with a little salt and some corns of Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae)
for coughs. In Ghana the insoluble part from leaf-ash is used in making snuff.
The small roots are a common item of market trade in Senegal, sold as
toothbrushes (Burkill, 2000). The kernels have place in all social ceremonies,
baptisms, marriages, funerals and fetish sacrifices. In Mali, the fruit is a
part of prescription, known as saraka issued by soothsayers. Fang of Gabon use
pieces of the bark along with egg in acts of magic (Irvine, 1961).
Of the four Cola spp of major interest, C. acuminata,
C.anomala, C. nitida and C. verticillata. C. nitida is the most important. The
kernels are valued as a masticatory conferring tonic, stimulant, invigorant and
excitant symptoms. They produce a capacity for sustained physical effort and
for annulling pangs of hunger. Gut secretions and peristaltic movement are
increased as is blood pressure. Flavour of the nut is bitter. The principle
stimulant is caffeine, 1.5 to 2.5%. The cultivation of this species has shown
up varieties, red-seeded and white seeded but with little difference in
caffeine content between them. But the white-seeded form seems perhaps on
eyeappeal, to be given favour, and is accorded the title of ‘The Chief’s or
King’s Kola. Other substances present are theobromine, 0.023%, tannins, 1.618%,
fructose, a phenolic substance, kolatin, and a glycoside, kolanin. The caffeine
is not free but is bonded to the tannin in a complex but having the same effect
as free caffeine. The seed kernels are official in the British Pharmaceutical
Codex and the U.S. National Formulary. Besides used as a masticatory, the
kernels have use as a flavouring in the burgeoning ‘coke’ drinks industry.
Medicine-men in Ivory Coast prepare the kernels in decoctions, enemas or
injections as an aphrodisiac, or in cases of difficult labour as an ecbolic. In
Nigeria, it is prescribed as a restorative to stimulate the nervous system and
to counteract strain and depression.
According to Adewole et. al. (2013), Kola contains about two
percent caffeine and is chewed by many people as a stimulant. It is used in the
manufacture of dyes. It is also used in the manufacture of the cola group
beveragescoca-cola, Pepsi cola and kola (Javies, 2002). Plants have been used
since antiquity for medicinal purposes by diverse peoples and cultures
throughout the world. Indeed, the recorded use of natural products as a source
of relief from illness dates back at least four thousand years and it can be
assumed that unrecorded practices are as old as mankind (Christophersen et.
al., 1991). The use of plants for medicinal purposes continues to this day,
usually in the form of traditional medicine, which is now recognized by the
World Health Organization (WHO, 2005) as a building block for primary health
care (Akerele, 1988; WHO, 2005). The vibrant healing power of herbs had been
recognized since creation and hence botanical medicine is one of the oldest
practiced professions by mankind (Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000; Iwu, 1993).
Hamburger and Hostettmann (1991) reported that 25% of prescribed drugs today
are of plants origin. Well-known examples of drugs with plant origins includes
aspirin, atropine, digoxin, ephedrine, morphine, quinine, reserpine,
vincristine and vinblastine, as well as several plant steroidal2sapogenins
which serve as semi-synthetic precursors to the steroidal drugs. The study of
plants of medicinal importance in the first years of the nineteenth century led
to the isolation in crystalline form of such complex substances as Strychnine
(C21H22O2 N2), Quinine (C20H24O2
N2) and Morphine (C17H19O3 N)
which have physiological actions in man and animals (Farnsworth and Bingel,
1997). Herbal medicine has for too long been neglected in favor of synthetic
drugs of which its misuse or abuse and cases of side effects have become a
social evil (Farnsworth, 1990).
Similarly, according to Durand Dah-Nouvlessounon et. al.
(2015), In West African’s forest areas, Cola is perhaps second in importance to
the palm tree as an indigenous cash crop. Cola nut has been an important
article of international trade in many parts of Africa. The nuts of C. nitida
contain about two percent of caffeine and are chewed by many people as a stimulant.
It is a very special and important item used in social and ceremonial
activities by Africans. The nuts of cola also have industrial usage for the
production of drugs, soft drinks, wines, candies, and beverages such as
Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola (Jayeola, 2001). It has many pharmacological
properties and contains some active principles: it prevents sleep, thirst, and
hunger and acts as an antidepressant. The Cola nuts are source of antioxidants
and contain a wide array of complex secondary plant metabolites such as
theobromine, d-catechin, L-epicatechin, and kolatin (Lowor et. al., 2010). The
use of the plant in the treatment of certain diseases has been reported by
several authors (Muhammad and Fatima, 2014).
The two species have corresponding economic and cultural
values. They are commonly planted around villages. Preferences are shown. C.
nitida has a higher caffeine content, and is required for overseas export, but
forest people in Nigeria familiar with C. acuminata. prefer it. Seeds of the
two species are distinguishable on the basis of the number of cotyledons, C.
nitida with 2, C. acuminata 3 to 6.
STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The underutilization of the leaves of Cola acuminata and C.
nitida when compared with other parts of the Kola nut tree by humans calls for
curiosity. The leaves of the two species are readily available all through the
seasons of the year but in spite of this, its level of utility by man is very
low. In view of this, scientific information especially in the fields of
phytochemistry, pharmacognosy and toxicology about the leaves of these species
is therefore imperative.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Preparation of Leaf
Samples
The leaf samples were prepared following Otoide and Kayode
(2011). The leaves were air-dried and ground into powder using a Thomas Willey
milling machine. The aqueous extract of each sample was prepared by soaking
100g of dried powdered samples in 200ml of distilled water for 12 hours. The
extracts were filtered using Whatman filter paper (No 42-125mm).
Phytochemical
Screening
Standard procedures of Sofowora (1993), Trease and Evans
(1989), Harborne (1973) and Mohammad et. al. (2013) were adopted in the phytochemical
screening of the aqueous extract and powdered samples.
Test for Tannins
Dried powdered samples (0.5g) were boiled in 20 ml of water,
in a text-tube and then filtered. A few drops of 0.1 % Ferric chloride was
added and observed. Brownish-green or blue-black colour indicates the presence
of tannins (Trease and Evans, 1989).
Test for Saponins
Powdered samples (2g) were boiled in 20ml of distilled water
in a water bath and filtered. 10ml of the filtrate was mixed with 5ml of
distilled water and shaken vigorously for a stable persistent froth. The
frothing was mixed with three drops of olive oil and shaken vigorously and
formation of emulsion was observed for the presence of saponin (Sofowora,
1993).
Test for Flavonoids
Dilute ammonia (5ml) was added to a portion of the aqueous
filtrate of each of plant extract followed by addition of 2ml concentrated H2
S04. A yellow coloration observed in each extract indicated the
presence of flavonoids (Trease and Evans, 1989).
Test for Alkaloids
The method of Harbone (1973) was used in this test. The
sample (5g) was weighed into a 250ml beaker and 200ml of 10 % acetic acid in
ethanol was added and covered, and allowed to stand for 4hrs. This was filtered
and the extract was concentrated on a water bath to one-quarter of the original
volume. Concentrated ammonium hydroxide was added drop wise to the extract
until the precipitation was complete. The whole solution was allowed to settle
and the precipitate was collected and washed with dilute ammonium hydroxide and
then filtered. The residue, which was the alkaloids, was dried and weighed.
Determination of
Total Phenol by Folin-Reagent Method
Total phenol content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu
reagent method with modification. From each crude extracts (1 mg) was dissolved
in methanol (1 mL). A total of 10% Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was prepared by
adding Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (10 mL) in water (90 mL). Then, 5% Na2
CO3 (3 g) was prepared by dissolving Na2 CO3
(3 g) in water (50 mL). Each crude sample (200 µL) was taken in a test tube and
added 10% FolinCiocalteu reagent (1.5 mL). Then all the test tube was kept in a
dark place for 5 min. Finally, 5% Na2 CO3 (1.5 mL) was
added to the solution and mixed well by hand. Again all the test tube was kept
in the dark for 2 h. The absorbance was measured for all solution by using
UV-spectrophotometer at constant wavelength 750 nm (Mohammad et. al., 2013)
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION
The results obtained in the present study revealed the
occurrences of Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins, Alkaloids and Saponins in the
leaves of Cola acuminata and Cola nitida. These have been summarized in Tables
1 and 2
Cola acuminata contained 26.71 ± 12.24mgQE/g, 23.52 ±
7.84GAE/g, 15.32 ± 5.11mgTAE/g, 1.23 ± 0.41mg/g and 0.22 ± 0.07mg/g of Flavonoids,
Phenols, Tannins, Alkaloids and Saponins respectively. On the other hand, Cola
nitida contained 70.03 ± 23.34, 22.96 ± 7.65, 13.44 ± 4.48, 1.01 ± 0.34 and
0.16 ±0.05 of Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins, Alkaloids and Saponins respectively
(Table 2).
The leaves of Cola acuminata and Cola nitida are often
neglected by humans when anything has to do with these two species. The
immediate points of call are their fruits and barks. Conventional knowledge
revealed that the leaves of these two species are readily available while their
fruits are seasonal yet, the leaves are often neglected.
Available literatures revealed a lot of documented results
of complete researches on Cola acuminata and Cola nitida in the fields of
science, applied science, social science and marketing on theirs seeds, stem,
bark and sometimes fruits. Conversely and surprisingly, the leaves of these two
species have not received warmth attention of researchers just like the leaves
of other plant taxa even in ethnomedicine. This has led to dearth of scientific
reports regarding this special organ of these species. Whereas, the most common
plant organ where medicinal properties are domiciled is the leaf.
Results obtained in the present study showed that the leaves
of these two species of Cola, though often neglected in day to day activities
by humans are not devoid of phytochemicals and other useful constituents. The
occurrences of Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins, Alkaloids, Saponnins in the leaves
of both species are proofs of therapeutic values inherent in them. This claim
is warranted by the assertions of Hill (1952 and Rabiu et. al., 2018) that the
medicinal value of plants lies in some chemical substances that produce a
definite physiological action on the human body. The most important of these
bioactive constituents of plants are alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and
phenolic compounds. The reports of Chong et. al. (2012), Diaz et. al; (2015)
and Adoum (2016) that biologically active compounds like alkaloids, phenolic
compounds, saponins, flavonoids and many others with known antioxidant and
antibacterial properties, can be of great significance in therapeutic treatment
also support the authors claim made above.
It is known that different phytochemicals have a broad range
of pharmacological activities. For instance, saponins can be used as an
anti-inflammatory agent and in treatment for tuberculosis; steroids were used
as allergy, arthritis and coronary failure therapy, control in menstrual cycle
and increasing women fertility; alkaloids can increase nutrient absorption and
blood circulation, reduce pain and stimulate nerve system as it has narcotic
effect; and tannins are reported to possess anti-irritant, anti-secretolytic,
anti-phlogistic, antimicrobial and anti-parasitic effects (Ong et. al., 2004).
Moreover, flavonoids are well documented to have important effects on various
biological systems. Flavonoids have been referred as “nature’s biological
response modifiers†because of strong experimental evidence of their inherent
ability to modify the body’s reaction to allergens, viruses, and carcinogens.
They show anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer
activities (Cushnie and Lamb, 2005; YIN et. al; 2013).
References
