Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the proximate, mineral content and phyto-constituents of several therapeutic plants and herbs found in India. The medicinal properties of herbs are attributable to the existence of several complex chemical substances known as secondary metabolites, which are exclusively accumulated in diverse sections of the plant such as leaves, stems, roots and flowers. These secondary metabolites or phytochemicals contain saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, diterpenoids, tannins and steroids, which are considered a valuable source of nutrition and also possess pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, anfungal, antiviral, antihelminthic, antioxidant, hepato-protective, antibacterial, immunostimulatory, hypolipidemic, anti-rheumatic, antidiarrheal, anti-pyretic, antimalarial, anticancer and anti-allergic properties, among others. Medicinal plant extracts have traditionally been used to treat diseases and inhibit the activities of pathogenic organisms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Penicillium notatum and Candida albicans. It was determined that all medicinal plants investigated had varied chemical compositions, which might be ascribed to the plant's age, specie, extraction procedure or processing, storage, geographical location and other factors. This study will also provide information on emerging phyto-constituents, which can help to lower the growing incidence of antimicrobial resistance and bridge the gap between animal production and food safety.

Alagbe, J.O., 2024. Proximate, mineral composition and phyto-constituents of some medicinal plants/ herbs in India. Plant Health Archives, 2024, online first.