ASSESSMENT OF NUTRACEUTICAL POTENTIALS OF BLOODROOT (Justicia secunda vahl) LEAF EXTRACT

• M. B. R. Oyewale

  Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria

  Author

• O. F. Osundahunsi

  Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

• O. Awolu

  Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

Preliminary study on the erythropioetic potentials of “Bloodroot” (Justicia secunda) leaf, nutrients, minerals, phytoconstituents, anti-nutrient composition as well as in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and Gardos channel activities were investigated using standard methods. Extraction was done in a mixed solvents medium comprising: distilled water, ethanol, methanol, acetone, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate in the ratio 2:2:3:1:1:1 v/v, respectively. Result showed that the leaf had moisture content of 42.74 %, carbohydrate (24.60%), fibre (12.45%), fat (10.67%), protein (7.35%) and ash (2.19%). Iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc and copper were quantified as 10.3, 4060.00, 19.00, 445.00, 6.70 and 2.20 mg/kg respectively. phytochemicals such as; flavonoids, saponins, tannin, anthraquinones, phlobatannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenols, cardiac glycoside and steroids were present in the leaf. Phytic acid, oxalate, total antioxidant, phenolic and flavonoid contents were 0.70 mg/g, 0.27 mg/g, 3.72 ug/ml AAE, 0.09 mg GAE/g and 0.09 mg/QAE/g, respectively. The extract exhibited DPPH, IC50 of 66.57 μg/mL, metal chelating activity (IC50, 41.89 μg/mL) and lipid peroxidation (IC50, 50.87μg/mL). The extract was effective in inhibiting heat induced albumin denaturation, heat induced haemolysis of RBCs and anti-proteinase activity at IC50 of 0.029 µg/ml, IC50 of 0.11 µg/ml and 0.012 µg/ml respectively. The IC50 of extract on Gardos's channel inhibition, Red Blood Cells (RBCs) lysis inhibition and RBCs membrane peroxidation inhibition of the extract were 0.17 µg/ml, 0.05 µg/ml, and 0.02 µg/ml, respectively. J. secunda leaf extract may serve as a source of nutrients, and bioactive compounds with effectiveness against free radicals, inflammation, and haemolysis, and potentials to prevent degenerative diseases.

1. M. B. R. Oyewale, Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria

   Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

2. O. F. Osundahunsi, Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

3. O. Awolu, Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

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