Phytochemicals in methanolic leaf extracts of <i>Tapinanthus globiferous</i> from <i>Azadirachta indica</i> and <i>Albizia lebbeck</i>: A comparative analysis of some pharmacological potentials

Abstract

Tapinanthus globiferus Linn is a specie of Viscum album commonly called mistletoe, which is used as medicinal plant. The efficiency of mistletoe species from different host trees were reported and found to depend on the bioactive constituents. Phytochemicals in methanolic leaf extract of Tapinanthus globiferus from Azadirachta indica (neem) and Albizia lebbeck (lebbeck) host trees were analysed using standard laboratory procedures and spectrophotometry methods. Extracts from both trees contained certain elements, amino acids and vitamins A, C and E. The two host trees also revealed varying concentrations of tannins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, total phenolic content (TPC) and scavenge DPPH radicals with an IC₅₀ of 28.73(μg/ml) and 0.02(μg/ml) respectively. Potassium (32.80%), manganese (92.33%), copper (70.43%), zinc (30.92%) and most of the amino acids were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in the extract from A. indica as compared to A. lebbeck. Flavonoids, alkaloids and total phenolic content were also significantly decreased in A. indica. Calcium (96.95%), Leucine (9.54%) , phenylalanine (18.27%) , and glycine (14.04%), vitamins A, C and E (90.91%, 41.09% and 47.07 %) respectively, were however significantly (p<0.05) higher in the A. indica. Manganese, zinc, lysine, isoleucine, tryptophan, and methionine had positive significant correlations (r = 0.70 - 0.80, p<0.05) with TPC. The extract from A. lebbeck has significantly higher concentrations in 21 (67.74%) of the 31parameters analysed. Therefore, A. lebbeck may be responsible for a more efficient and diverse targeted pharmacological actions than A. indica. Also higher concentrations of vitamins C and E in A. indica could make it a better source of antioxidant vitamin supplement.