ABSTRACT
Cassytha filiformis, a leafless and perennial vine with small scales
as a replacement of the leavesis currently being used in the treatment
of various disease conditions including jaundice without
standardization.Microscopical evaluation, chromatographic analysis (TLC,
HPLC, LC-MS/MS), spectroscopic analyses (NMR, FTIR, MS) and
hepathoprotective studies were carried out with the view to
scientifically verify the potentials of this plant used in traditional
medicine. The results revealed the presence of some diagnostic
microscopical features such as paracytic stomata, unicellular covering
trichomes with cystoliths, prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and
annular xylem vessels. Quantitative physical constants include moisture
contents (5.5 %), ash value (17 %), acid insoluble ash value (1 %),
total tannins (27.3 %), swelling index (165 %), water, alcohol and oil
extractive indices (20.6 %, 13.6 % and 1.6 % respectively). Trace metals
detected in C. filiformis such as Fe (165.4279 ppm), Mn (14.4093 ppm)
and Ni (2.7933 ppm) which are essential were higher than FAO/WHO (1984)
permissible limit for edible plants. While others:Pb (0.0568 ppm) Zn
(0.1094 ppm), Cd (0.0103 ppm) and Cu (0.0535 ppm) were found to be
within the safety limit. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the
plant signifies the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins
and steroids Phytochemical constituents identified in ethyl acetate and
methanol extracts of C. filiformis include 3,3,O-di-O-methyl ellagic
acid, catechin, chalcone compounds, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, isorhamnetin
3-O-rutinoside or isorhamnetin 3-O-neohesperidoside, kaemferol 3
rutinoside and
2-{cyclohex-2-en-1-yl(hydroxyl)methyl}-3-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl-
oxoprolinate while that of methanol fraction include 3,3,O-di-O-methyl
etllagic acid,
methy2-{cyclohex-2-ene-1-y(hydroxyl)methyl}-3hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl-5-oxoprolinate,
kaemferol 3 rutinoside, rutin and cathechinas revealed by the library
search on LC-MS/MS. Other compounds β-sitosterol and stigmasterol
wereisolated from petroleum ether extracts.The petroleum ether extract
(500 mgkg-1) and methanol (500 and 1000 mgkg-1) exhibited
hepatoprotection properties on wistar albino rats. These results could
serve as bases for the use of the plant in traditional medicine for the
prevention of liver disorders.
1.1 Introduction
The role of plants in the treatment of disease is exemplified by
their employment in all the major systems of medicine irrespective of
the underlying philosophical premise. As example, we have the western
medicine with origin in Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Unani (Islamic) and
the Ayurvedic (Hindu) system and in Western Asia and the Indian
subcontinent and those of the Orient (China, Japan, Tibetetc.). There is
a great wealth of knowledge concerning the medicinal,narcotic and other
properties of plants that is still transmitted orally from generation
to generation by tribal societies, particularly those of the tropical
Africa, North and South America and the Pacific countries (Evans, 2009).
These are areas containing the world’s greatest number of plant
species, not found elsewhere, and with the westernization of so many of
the people of these zones there is pressing need to record local
knowledge before it is lost forever. In addition, with the extermination
of plant species progressing at an alarming rate in certain regions,
even before plant have been botanically recorded, much less studied
chemically and pharmacologically, the need arises for increased efforts
directed towards the conservation of gene pools (Evans, 2009).
Since plant taxa are defined by their morphology (more specifically
on the morphology of the flowering parts), identification techniques
have relied almost entirely on physical examination of the specimen.
However, drying and powdering alters or destroys diagnostic features and
the plant parts traded in commerce may not include the parts necessary
for establishing botanical identity. Classical description in compendia
reflect this approach with physical descriptions that include
appearance, color, order, and fracture.