Preliminary phytochemical and mineral analyses of the root of Hippocratea welwitschii

The root of the plant Hippocratea welwitschii has been used by the natives in Akwa Ibom State for the treatment of epilepsy. Phytochemical tests on the powdered root sample using standard methods of analysis showed that it contained saponins, alkaloids, phenols and glycosides. Elemental analysis of the root for chromium, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese zinc, iron, lead, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and selenium showed the following values (0.0611, 0.2176, 0.7741, 0.0110, 0.3010, 0.0406, 0.0833,.0.0833, 0.0681, 0.1970, 0.1487, 0.239 and 0.162) mg/g respectively.