ABSTRACT

Datura mete! a Nigerian medicinal plant was studied. Phytochemical screening of the leaf and fruit of Datura mete! showed the presence of alkaloids (0.31-5.0%), tannins (0.04-0.90%), phenols (0.21-0.84%), saponins (2.6-6.9%) and flavonoids (1.10-3.3%). Mineral composition of the plant leaf and fruit revealed the presence of the following; calcium (2.204-2.204mg/bOg), magnesium (0.730-1. 034mg/bOg), potassium (0.900-1.loomglloog), sodium (0.275-0.125mg1100) and phosphorus (0.698- 0.803mg/bOg). Trace elements detected comprise: iron (6.900-16.300mglloog), zinc (8.575-13.575mg/bOg), copper (4.875- 4.975mg/bOg) and manganese (9.175- 19. 150mg/bOg). The plant contains ascorbic acid (28.60 - 57.20mg/bOg), vitamin A (0.29-0.5 5mg/bOg), riboflavin, (0. 90-2.30mg/bOg), thiamin (0.38-0.75 mg/bOg) and niacin (1.53-4.08mg/bOg). A steroidal alkaloid 5',7'- dimethyl- 6' -hydroxy- 3'- phenyl- 3- a-amine-J3-- yne sitosterol and carboline alkaloid 1,7- dihdroxy-1-methyl- 6,8- dimethoxy-3-carboline were isolated from the leaves of D. mete!. These alkaloids may be responsible for the biological properties exhibited by Datura mete!.