Phytochemical and Toxicity Analysis of Ricinus communis
Joshua, P. Elijah
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Chukwuka, R. Somadina
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
A. V. Arazu *
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Ngoga Godfrey
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
M. C. Ogwuegbu
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria.
S. Cosmas *
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Medicinal plants play a vital role in ensuring proper health is attained by human beings due to their antioxidants constituents. The large family Euphorbiaceae contain nearly about 300 genera and 7,500 species. Amongst all, Ricinus communis or castor bean plant has high traditional and medicinal values towards a disease-free community. The objective of this study focuses on the phytochemical constituents and phytotoxicity perspective of the R. communis plant. The castor bean plant is effective and is thought to have antifertility, anti-nociceptive, anticancer, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hepato-protective, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antimicrobial bone regeneration, central analgesic, antihistamine, anti-asthmatic, cytotoxic, lipolytic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing potential. The seeds of R. communis were deshelled and manually separated from its shells. They were divided into three based on different methanol extraction (Fermented, Unfermented and Crystals of methanol extracts of unfermented). The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed variations in the phytochemical content of the unfermented and fermented methanol extracts respectively, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, soluble carbohydrates, hydrogen cyanides, steroids and phenols.
Keywords: Ricinus communis, phytochemical constituents, toxicity.