metabolites such as terpenoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds
(Mdlolo; 2009, Fawole 2009).
Guiera senegalensis JF Gmel, of the family Combretaceae, commonly known as Moshi medicine (English) or
Saabara in Hausa. Guiera senegalensis is a shrubby plant and can grow to a height of 3 to 5 m depending on the
habitat (Silva et al., 2008). The leaves which are 3 to 5 cm long and 1.5 to 3.0 cm broad are arranged opposite
or sub opposite on the stem (Hutchinson and Dalziel, 1972).a survey of medicinal plants within and around
Damaturu environs indicated that the plant is used in the treatment hepatitis, inflammation, malaria, wounds and
cancer. However, there’s no scientifically backed evidence to support this claim. This poses an important
challenge to seek for more scientific studies to be carried out on each of the four plants in order to ascertain these
claims.
Herbal medicine in Nigeria is gaining more recognition and this is seen in how much inquiries people make
concerning home remedies and traditional medicine. Nigeria is richly endowed with indigenous plants which are
used in herbal medicine to cure diseases and heal other injuries. Some of these plants are used as food and/or
medicine. The extracts from this plant has shown to exhibit a wide range of biological and pharmacological
activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, antispasmodic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic,
antimicrobial activities, etc. It is generally assumed that the active medicinal constituents contributing to the
protective effects are phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. (Okwu, Ekeke 2003 and Okwu; 2004). For this
reason, medicinal plants are considered be important to the health of the individuals and communities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Apparatus and Materials
Ultrasonicator (Model/AS3120) was purchased from Tianjin Automatic Science Instrument Co., Ltd. China,
analytical weighing balance (Ohaus Corp. Pine Brook, NJ USA), pestle and mortar (wooden) purchased in
Damaturu Sunday market, empty bottles purchased at Bayan Tasha market Damaturu, sieve, fume cupboard,
drying cabinet (model/FSM140)from 2 Building, Majialong Industrial Zone, Nanshen District, Shenzhen Jinly
Technology Co., Ltd. China, UV/VIS spectrophotometer (model/UV752) from Changsha, Hunan, Wincon
Company Ltd. China, Autoclave (Model/DWB-280B) and Water bath (Model/DWT-420) from Shanghai
Drawell Scientific Instrument Co., Ltd. Room 211 Building 7, sheng Yu Industrial Park No. 365 ChunHong,
Shanghai, China and other laboratory materials.
Chemicals
n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol were purchased from BDH Chemicals Ltd., Poole, United Kingdom. 2,2-
diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) was purchased from SIGMA-ALDRICH Company Ltd., 3050 Spruce street
St. Louis, MO63103 USA. Muller Hinton Agar was purchased from TITAN BIOTECH Ltd., A-904A, RIICO
Industrial Area, Phase-III, Rajasthan, India. Dimethyl Sulphur Oxide (DMSO) was purchased from Guangdong
Guanghua Sci-Tech Company Ltd., Add 6, Jiangyan South Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. ethanol,
ascorbic acid, Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Magnesium metal, Ferric chloride,
Dragendroffs reagent, choloroform and all other Chemicals used are of highest analytical grade and purchased
from BDH Chemicals, Poole, England.
Collection and Preparation of Plant Sample
The fresh sample of Gueira senegalensis (Voucher number 1973) (stem bark) was collected at Damaturu Local
Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria. The herbarium specimen was identified by Mallam Salihu Abdullahi a
Taxonomist at the Department of Biological Sciences, Yobe State University, Damaturu. The stem bark of the
plant was collected two (2) meters above the ground. The sample was sorted to ensure no foreign bodies were
present. This sample was then dried under shade in the laboratory at ambient temperature. The dried sample was
then crushed into coarse particles using local pestle and mortar. It was further crushed into fine powder and
sieved with a sieve and weighed. The fine powdered sample was then weighed and stored in sealed containers
until required for further analysis.
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