Mshelia, H.S.*, M. S. Sule, and Nasiru Abdullahi,
Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: msheliahamman@yahoo.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.020100155
ABSTRACT
Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst. is a Sahelian leguminous shrub used in traditional medicine for inflammatory conditions across West Africa. This study characterised the phytochemical composition, mineral element profile, and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of six leaf fractions obtained by sequential solvent partitioning. Qualitative screening detected flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, and tannins across all fractions. Quantitative analysis revealed that fraction MEOHF6 contained the highest concentrations of flavonoids (16.84 g/100g), alkaloids (23.57 g/100g), glycosides (18.46 g/100g), and terpenoids (8.85 g/100g). Mineral element analysis by AAS identified pharmacologically relevant concentrations of Ca, P, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Se, and Cu. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation inhibition, proteinase inhibition, and erythrocyte membrane stabilisation assays at 25–200 µg/mL. MEOHF6 recorded IC₅₀ values of 131.9 µg/mL (albumin denaturation), 54.2 µg/mL (proteinase inhibition), and 171.3 µg/mL (membrane stabilisation)—the only fraction achieving membrane stabilisation IC₅₀ within the tested range. Fraction HEOHF4 recorded the lowest proteinase IC₅₀ (41.0 µg/mL) in the entire study. These findings identified MeOHF6 as the fraction with the most consistent activity across the three assays.
KEYWORDS
Piliostigma
reticulatum,
Phytochemical,
Mineral
elements,
Anti
inflammatory,
Albumin
denaturation.