Determination of the Mineral Composition of Some Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Anaemia in Traditional African Societies

Eight Plants reported in the literature for treatment of anaemia in traditional African communities were investigated for their iron contents. These plants were Adenia gummiferra. Albezie versicolor, Allophylus rubifolius. Brackenridgea zanguebarica , Bridelia cathartica, Commiphora Africana, Lannea stuhlmannii and Triumfetta rhomboidea. They were screened for iron contents since iron deficiency anaemia is the most prevalent form of anaemia experienced in poorer parts of the third world countries. Though abundance of iron alone cannot offer correction of its deficiency. this project was to evaluate its contents in these plants as a first step in understanding their curative ability. Some nutritional elements were also determined to compare their contents with common dietary sources. These were Ca. Mg, K. No., P. Mn, Cu and Zn. The determinations were carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) for Ca. Mg. Fe. Mn. Cu and Zn: flame photometry for K and Na. and a vanado-molybdate colorimetrjc method for P. All the determinations in project were based on dry weight basis. The dried plant parts were brought to solution using standard methods, wet and dry oxidation. Results obtained by the two methods were statistically treated and compared to establish whether the methods were agreeing on the value for the content of each element determined. In all cases the two methods gave results that were not statistically different. hence the average of the two values obtained was taken as the actual content of each element for each plant part. The values obtained for the elements were compared with corresponding elements of some leafy edible vegetables that were analyzed were spinach, kale, lettuce, cowpeas leaves, onions end pumpkin leaves. Results indicated that spinach had more total iron content (38.4mg/l00g dry matter) and was comparable only with the rootbark of adenia gummjferra (32.11mg/l00g dry matter). Bridelia cathartica (35.69rng/lOOg dry matter)., Lannea stuhlmannii (32.21mg/l00g dry matter) and Triumfetta rhomboidea 32.74mg/l00g dry matter. The decoctions used to treat anaemic patients were found to have very low iron contents. Leaves had extracted iron in the range 0.61B.73mg/l00mg/l00g dry matter. stembark O.10-6.40mg/l00g dry matter and root bark in the range O.09-13mg/l00g dry matter. It could therefore be concluded that the extracts fanned during decoction preparation do have components that enhance iron absorption in the body or allow it to be extracted in the required form. The amount of plant material and water taken when decoctions are prepared by traditional methods coupled with long usage could also be an important factor in the curative ability of these plants The other nutritional elements determined were found to have levels that were comparable to the vegetables. (author)