Comparison of the nutritional value and biological activities of the acetone, methanol and water extracts of the leaves of Solanum nigrum and Leonotis leonorus

Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Mar;48(3):964-71. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.01.007. Epub 2010 Jan 14.

Abstract

The nutritional, phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the acetone, methanol and water extracts of the leaves of Solanum nigrum and Leonotis leonorus were investigated using standard analytical methods in order to assess the numerous potential of the leaves of these plants. The proximate analysis showed the that the leaves of the two plants were rich in moisture content, ash content, crude protein, crude lipid, crude fibre and carbohydrate. Elemental analysis in mg/100g (DW) indicated that the leaves contained sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and nitrogen. The chemical composition in mg/100g (DW) for alkaloid, saponins, and phytate were moderate. The plants were also rich in polyphenols and had good antioxidant activities. The different extracts of the plants had activities against some of the organisms used in this study. Comparing the nutrient and chemical constituents with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values, the results reveal that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals and low levels of toxicants.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetone
  • Anthocyanins / analysis
  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Benzothiazoles / chemistry
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Ferrous Compounds / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Flavonols / analysis
  • Flavonols / pharmacology
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Lamiaceae / chemistry*
  • Lamiaceae / toxicity
  • Methanol
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Minerals / analysis
  • Nutritive Value*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Phenols / pharmacology
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Solanum nigrum / chemistry*
  • Solanum nigrum / toxicity
  • Solvents
  • Sulfonic Acids / chemistry
  • Water

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Flavonoids
  • Flavonols
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Minerals
  • Phenols
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Solvents
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • Water
  • Acetone
  • 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • Methanol