Clinical Medicine Research 2017; 6(6): 209-214 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/cmr doi: 10.11648/j.cmr.20170606.16 ISSN: 2326-9049 (Print); ISSN: 2326-9057 (Online) Phytochemical and Proximate Analysis of Some Medicinal Leaves Abiodun Bukunmi Aborisade 1, * , Adewale Adetutu 2 , Abiodun Olusoji Owoade 2 1 Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, Nigeria 2 Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria Email address: Adebisi1938@gmail.com (A. B. Aborisade), aadetutu@lautech.edu.ng (A. Adetutu), aoowoade@lautech.edu.ng (A. O. Owoade) * Corresponding author To cite this article: Abiodun Bukunmi Aborisade, Adewale Adetutu, Abiodun Olusoji Owoade. Phytochemical and Proximate Analysis of Some Medicinal Leaves. Clinical Medicine Research. Vol. 6, No. 6, 2017 pp. 209-214. doi: 10.11648/j.cmr.20170606.16 Received: June 1, 2017 Accepted: July 11, 2017 Published: December 25, 2017 Abstract: The proximate analysis and the phytochemical constituents were investigated in Magnifera, Morinda lucida, Parquetina nigrescens, Oscmium gratissimum, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Veronia amygaldalina using standard reference methods. The proximate analysis in % showed that Chenopodium ambrosioides had the highest amount of ash content of 17.30 and moisture content of 89.40 while Magnifera indica had the lowest amount of ash content 12.04 and moisture content 68.40. Veronia amygaldalina had the highest amount of protein 30.02 and carbohydrate 54.00 while Parquetina nigrescens had the least amount of protein 25.06 and carbohydrate 40.23. Parquetina nigrescens had the highest amount of crude fibre of 25.05 while Chenopodium ambrosioides had the highest amount of crude fat 18.22. The moisture content was found to be 89.40%, ash content 17.30, fat 18.22%, protein 30.02%, crude fibre 25.05% and carbohydrate 54.00%. The phytochemical constituents indicated flavonoid 28.58% alkaloid 25.84% and tannin 2.94% in Magnifera indica, Veronia amygaldalina and Morinda lucida respectively. The presence of high secondary metabolites in the leaves are good indication that if the plant is subjected to further research such as identification and characterization of plant, bioactive compounds with strong biological activities may be isolated and novel compounds may also be identified. Keywords: Medicinal Leaves, Proximate Analysis, Phytochemical Analysis 1. Introduction Medicinal plants are plants which contain substances that could be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs [46]. The medicinal value of these plants lies in bioactive phytochemical constituents that produce definite physiological action on the human body [8]. Ocimum gratissimum which belongs to the family of Lamiaceae and found mostly in the tropical countries including: Nigeria, India, North and South America, Mexico and Brazil where it is popularly known as alfavaca-cravo, alfavacao, alfavaca [14]. The local names are Efinrin, Efirin aaja, Erumaba (Yoruba), Daidoyatagida (Hausa), Esewon (Edo-Akoko), Nehonwu, Nchanwu (Igbo) and Menthesauvage (French). It is traditionally used to relief pains and also used in the treatment of rheumatism, diarrhea, high fever, convulsions, diabetes, eczema, piles and as a repellant [15]. The decoction of the stem is inhaled for the treatment of catarrh and bronchitis [26]. Vernonia amygdalina is commonly called bitter leaf because of its bitter taste. It belongs to the member of Asteraceae family and a small ever-green shrub that grows all over Africa. It is reported to be a medicinal plant for diabetes and fever [16]. Bitter herbs are reportedly good for the body as they help tone the vital organs of the body like the kidney and liver. Ethnomedically, the leaves are consumed either as a vegetable (macerated leaves in soup) or aqueous extracts as tonics for the treatment of various illnesses [29]. The roots of V. amygdalina have been used for gingivitis and toothache due to its proven antimicrobial activity from the previous work being done on it [2]. In North America, of the 17 species of Vernonia all have the same effective properties as a blood purifier, uterus toner and helps also in