MAMA Decoction is an herbal preparation that is used ethnomedically in Nigeria and has been scientifically justified for the treatment of malaria [1]. There is the need to standardise the preparation due to the possibilities of adulteration and deterioration. Therefore, this study aimed to determine some pharmacognostical and physicochemical parameters with a view to contributing to the quality control of the preparation.
The component leaves of MAMA Decoction, Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), Morinda lucida Benth (Rubiaceae) and Alstonia boonei De Wild (Apocynaceae), were collected, authenticated and powdered. The mixture of the leaves was extracted using the decoction method. The filterate was freeze-dried into a powdered extract. The organoleptic evaluation of the leaves and decoction was determined. The moisture content, the extractive yield, pH and relative density of the decoction were also determined. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of gedunin in MAMA Decoction and the freeze-dried extract were determined by thin layer chromatography and a validated high pressure liquid chromatography assay, respectively.
The moisture content was 6% - 16%, extractive yield was 18.95±3.10 % , while the pH and relative density of the decoction were 5.44±0.12 and 1.01±0.003 g/mL , respectively. The marker, gedunin with retardation factor of 0.49, was present at 0.73 µg/mL in the Decoction and 0.22 µg/100 µg in the freeze-dried extract.
The study provided some valuable data needed for the quality control of MAMA decoction.
[1] Adepiti AO, Elujoba AA, Bolaji OO. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:505-511