Abstract

The Alkaloid Contents of the Ethno-Plant Organs of Three Antimalarial Medicinal Plant Species in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Author(s): Y. Ameyaw and G. Duker-Eshun

A survey research was conducted on Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schtr., Morinda lucida Benth and Voacanga africana Stapf antimalarial plant species harvested from Mampong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Comparative studies were performed using the total alkaloid content of the plant organs of three plant species used ethnobotanically for the preparation of antimalarial decoctions. Statistically, a series of linear models (SPSS 10.0, Minitab 13.32 and MStats for WINDOWS, Version 6.1) was fitted to the dataset to determine whether variations do exist. Results showed that: (i) Phytochemical screening of the plant confirmed the presence of alkaloid in the plant organs (ii) The alkaloid contents of the plant organs of the plant species were significantly different from one another and (iii) The total alkaloid content of V. Africana was the highest among the three plant species