Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Andrew, Andrew Chimezie"

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    Biochemical analysis of Justicia carnea leaves used as a hematinic
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-05) Andrew, Andrew Chimezie
    Justicia carnea is the largest genus of Acanthaceae and is a medicinal plant used widely in Nigeria which is reported to have diverse functions, including blood-boosting potential. The phytochemical, vitamin, mineral, amino acid and roximate compositions, and antioxidant effects of the leaf extract of Justicia carnea were determined using standard methods was the goal of this study. Results of the quantitative phytochemical analyses carried out on the leaves of Justicia carnea recorded appreciable presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, oxalate, and phytate using GC-FID. Ribalinidine with 42.08±0.03 mg/kg was the highest alkaloid, Flavan -3-ol was 21.18±0.02 mg/kg, presented the highest amount of flavonoids, and phytate with 25.69±0.07 mg/kg as the highest antinutrient. Analysis of Justicia carnea leaves recorded iron (8.61 mg/kg) as the major element followed by potassium (5.29±0.11 mg/kg). The concentration of vitamins in Justicia carnea leaves shows vitamin C with the highest value of 232.32±12.26 mg/100g followed by Vitamin A (22.16±2.12 mg/kg. The results of proximate composition on Justicia carnea leaves showed a high concentration of carbohydrate (60.35±3.05 %) and appreciable amounts of ash (15.02±1.01 %), fibre (9.29±0.93 %),protein (8.40±0.41), and low amount of lipid (1.50±0.09 %). The amino acid results showed the presence of both essential and non-essential amino acids with their concentrations in increasing and decreasing order. The results of antioxidant activities assay of the Justicia leaf extract showed that the leaves had better ability to scavenge free radicals at a concentration of 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml but had a drop at 50mg/ml; the standard antioxidant was slightly higher than all the activities of the different concentrations of the extracts. The results of inhibition of lipid peroxidation of the leaf of J. carnea showed that the leaf extracts had a better ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation at a concentration of 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml but had drop at concentrations of 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml. The results of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the leaf of J. carnea Showed that the leaf extracts promoted inhibition of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity with increasing concentrations. These results obtained showed that leaves of Justicia carnea may serve as rich sources of natural antioxidants, free radical scavengers and should be recommended as a potential source of useful bioactive constituents as vegetable supplement and has no toxic effect and serve as an effective hematinic.