• 2020-03-10
• Faleyimu, O.I, Kolawole, O.E
• Volume 1, Issue 2

Abstract

Medicinal plants are resources of traditional medicines and many of the modern medicines are produced from plants. Phytochemical screening of selected medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer was carried out in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo state, Nigeria. Herbalists, herb sellers and traditionalists living within the area of study were interviewed by the administration of questionnaires. Purposeful sampling was used for the selection of the respondents. Thirty-five different plant species were found to be used in the treatment of cancer. Six out of the plants identified (Garcinia kola (Heckel.), Napoleona vogelii (Hook. and planch.), Pyrenacantha staudii (Engl.), Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.), Senna fistula (L.), and Psorospermum febrifugum (Spach) were characterized for their active chemical component. Results revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin moderately (+) While carbohydrate was excessively and highly present in Garcinia kola (Heckel.) and Napoleona vogelii (Hook and planch). In Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam) and Psorospermum febrifugum (spach) carbonhydrate was absent (-). It was also revealed that flavonoid was highly present in Garcinia kola (Heckel) and Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Saponins were highly (++), excessively (+++) and moderately (+) present in all phytochemical constituent. It showed that protein was present in all the phytochemical constituent. Psorospermum febrifugum (spach) did not only have excess tannin but alkaloid, flavonoid and ascorbic acid which were highly present (++). Of all phytochemical constituent tested for Napoleona vogelii, flavonoid and tannins was noticed to be absent (-). Carbohydrate and ascorbic acid were highly present (++) and moderately present (+) of alkaloid. Traditional medicine has higher benefits than any other health care system as it is cheaper, readily available and could cure permanently. A need for more analytical work on the plants identified as useful for the treatment of cancer is necessary in order to determine the actual dosage applicable.