Abstract

The study was carried-out to evaluate the chemical constituents of Phyllanthus niruri, a commonly multifunctional activities herbal plant used for curing different ailment. The plant (roots, leafs and stem) was collected in Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria in the months of July to August, 2009 and used throughout the study. Phytochemical, elemental and physicochemical constituents of the plant was evaluated and the results were as follows: Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloid, balsams, sterols, carbohydrate, glycoside, flavonoids, tannins, phlobatannins, resins and terpene in trace; while the essential elements detected were of variable concentrations (mg/L) as; Ca (157.419±1.42), Na (14.393), K (11.344), P (2.341), Mg (59.627±0.54), Mn (7.926±0.27), Fe (34.552±815), Cu (3.082±0.67) and Zn (3..346±0.24) but Cd, Pb and Ni were not detected by the equipment. Physicochemical parameters evaluated were, percentage moisture content (12.4057±0.45% w/w), total ash (6.9950±0.46 %w/w), bitterness value (1636.88±0.74 Units/g), water extractable matter (1.3353±0.10% w/w) and retention value (RF) value (0.5772, 0.5781, 0.5665). The results indicated that, the plant is rich in various chemicals which may be the reason for its activities against different ailment as claimed by the indigenous people.

Key words: Phyllanthus niruri, physicochemical, phytochemicals, essential elements.