The mineral, proximate and phytochemical components of ten Nigerian medicinal plants used in the management of arthritis

Ethnobotanical investigation revealed the use of ten medicinal plants in the management of arthritis in Ibadan, Nigeria. This study screened the plants for mineral, proximate and phytochemical components that could be responsible for their therapeutic value in arthritis. The powdered plant samples were analysed for nutritional constituents and phytochemical compounds using standard laboratory protocols. The use value of plant-parts was 50% leaves and 50% roots. Three out of the 10 plants had high calcium content: Oncoba spinosa (180.0 mg/100 g), Nymphaea lotus (160.0 mg/100 g) and Solenostemon monostachyus (125.0 mg/100 g). N. lotus had the highest iron content (8.0 mg/100 g). Phosphorus content was highest in O. spinosa (150.0 mg/100 g). Magnesium was highest in Phyllanthus amarus (14.0 mg/100 g). Crude fibre was highest in Solanum aethiopicum (15.90%) and the least in O. spinosa (14.00%). S. aethiopicum had the highest protein content (18.50%) and O. spinosa the least (14.75%). All the medicinal plants tested positive to alkaloids, carotenoids and flavonoids. The plants contained minerals and secondary metabolites that are implicated in arthritis viz. calcium, zinc, carotenoids and flavonoids. The presence of these compounds in the test plants might alleviate pains associated with arthritis. O. spinosa had high potential in the management of arthritis due to its high