INVESTIGATION OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRACHYSTEGIA EURYCOMA HARMS PLANT PARTS USED IN HERBAL MEDICINE

Abstract

Brachystegia eurycoma seeds and stem bark were analyzed for their vitamins, minerals and proximate composition. The results revealed the presence of ascorbic acid (1.14×10-2 - 4.5×10-3 %), niacin (2.2×10-3-3.0×10-3 %), riboflavin (5.0×10-42.0×10-4 %), thiamin (1.5×10-3-2.2×10-4 %) and β-carotenoid (3.0×10-4-3.0×10-4 %). The proximate compositions were crude protein (7.44-3.86 %), crude fibre (3.80-65.86 %), lipids (9.57-2.32 %), ash (8.05-10.11 %), moisture (10.36-7.74 %), carbohydrate (60.78-10.11 %) and food energy (359.01-76.76 g/calories). The plant parts are good sources of minerals such as potassium (0.83-0.93 %), sodium (0.19-0.13 %), magnesium (0.88-0.55 %), calcium (1.58-1.68 %), phosphorus (0.49-0.31 %), nitrogen (1.19-0.62 %), iron (3.2×10-2-3.5×10-2 %), copper (6.0×10-3-1.5×10-2 %) and zinc (2.2×10-2-6.0×10-3 %). These results showed that the seeds of B. eurycoma are good sources of neutriceuticals and provide high degree of energy for body metabolism. The bark which is used in herbal medicine could be used in the management of colon cancer judging from its very high crude fibre content. The ascorbic acid and β-carotenoid content could be a contributory reason why the plant possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in herbal medicine.