Selected Metal Contents and Phytochemical Profiling of Ficus capreifolia and Mangifera indica Commonly used Antidiabetic Plants from Oil Producing Region of Nigeria

Aim: The study evaluated selected metal contents and phytochemicals present in Ficus capreifolia and Mangifera indica extracts commonly used antidiabetic plants from Aluu and Bodo communities in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria and its environs was used between June to November, 2020.

Methodology: Composite soil samples and the leaves of Ficus capreifolia and Mangifera indica were collected from Bodo and Aluu communities respectively. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for the analysis of the metals (Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cu, As and Cr). The plant extracts were screened for the presence of various phytochemicals using spectrophotometric methods.

Results: Flavonoid, Saponins, Tannins, Alkaloids. Terpenoid, Glycoside and Carotenoid were detected in Ficus carpreifolia obtained from Bodo and Aluu communities while Magnifera indica obtained from both communities has Alkaloids, Phenols, Flavonoids, Saponins and Tannins detected. Metals such as Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe and As were detected at Bodo and Aluu soil samples. Cu, Ni and Cr were below the detectable limit. Zn, Pb and As were above the permissible limit in Bodo soil samples while only As was above the permissible limit in Aluu community. In the plant samples, only Mn was present and was within the permissible limit in plants samples obtained from Bodo and Aluu communities while Zn, Pb, Ni, Fe, Cu, As and Cr were below the detectable limit.

Conclusion: The study shows that Ficus capriefolia and Mangifera indica do not bioaccumulate Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb, As and Cr and this may be attributed to the metal intolerance potential of the plants, hence no fear of metal toxicity when using these plants for medicinal purposes. The presence of saponins, tannins and flavonoid affirmed the hypoglycemic potentials of the plants.