Phytochemical screening and profiling of selected twenty medicinal plants used by Abagusii traditional practitioners of South Western Kenya

Abstract

Phytochemicals are non-nutritive compounds naturally occurring in plants and are known for diverse protective functions. Most groups, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, exhibit antimicrobial activity and provide potential sources of agents against human pathogens. A survey conducted documented twenty medicinal plants used by Abagusii traditional healers for treating infectious diseases. Phytochemical screening targeted nitrogenous compounds, acetogenins, polyketides, isoprenoids, and carbohydrates. Alkaloids represented nitrogenous compounds, while tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, emodin, anthocyanins, anthracene glycosides, and fatty acids represented acetogenins and polyketides. Alkaloids were detected in twelve plants (60%). Tannins occurred in fourteen samples (70%), flavonoids in twelve (60%), and coumarins in seventeen (85%). Anthocyanins appeared in five plants (25%), anthracene glycosides in seven (35%), fatty acids in six (30%), and emodin in nine plants (45%). Isoprenoid screening showed steroids in seventeen plants (85%), saponins in thirteen (65%), and volatile oils in seventeen samples. The overall findings support ethnomedicinal relevance of these selected plants.