Content uploaded by Abdulhafis Abiade
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Abdulhafis Abiade on Jan 09, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 21 (September, 2018); 333- 338
Research Article
An Assessment of the Nutritional, Phytochemical and
Antioxidant Properties of
Hibiscus asper
Hook. F. (Malvaceae)
*Gbadamosi I. T1, Abiade A. A1, Agbatutu A2
1Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
2Department of Biological Sciences, Kwararafa University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Hibiscus asper is used traditionally as potent sedative, restorative tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressive and anti-anaemic
drug, as well as in the management of jaundice. This study evaluated the nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant properties
of the leaf and calyx of the plant with a view to providing more scientific information on its therapeutic potentials. The two plant
parts were screened for proximate, mineral and vitamin compositions using standard protocols. The phytochemical analysis of
dry samples was done using standard protocols. The antioxidant activity of samples was against 1,1 – diphenyl – 2 picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) radical. All data were subjected to statistical analysis. H. asper calyx had significantly higher nutrients than the leaf
except carbohydrate content. The calyx was richer in mineral and vitamin contents than the leaf, especially ascorbic acid
(22.17±0.21 mg/100g) and carotenoids (1660.00±15.00 mg/100g). Interestingly, the leaf had higher phytochemical contents
compared to the calyx. It had alkaloids (1260.00±18.03 mg/100g), flavoniods (471.67±16.07 mg/100g), and cardiac glycosides
(4.10±0.10 mg/100g), whereas the calyx (53.33±0.25 %) showed higher inhibition against DPPH radical than the leaf
(36.33±0.45 %). Overall, the calyx was richer in proximate, mineral and vitamin contents. It also showed higher antioxidant
activity than the leaf. However the leaf contained significantly higher phytochemicals than the calyx. H. asper is very rich in
nutrients and phytochemicals with valuable antioxidant property. The calyx could be an important source of nutrients and the
leaf had strong therapeutic potentials in the management of diseases. This study justifies the traditional uses of the plant as food
and medicine.
Keywords: Hibiscus asper, secondary metabolites, nutrients, vitamins, natural antioxidant
*Author for correspondence: E-mail: - gita4me2004@yahoo.com ; Tel. +2348035505173
Received: March 2018; Accepted: August, 2018
Abstracted by:
Bioline International, African Journals online (AJOL), Index Copernicus, African Index Medicus (WHO), Excerpta medica
(EMBASE), CAB Abstracts, SCOPUS, Global Health Abstracts, Asian Science Index, Index Veterinarius
INTRODUCTION
The genus Hibiscus Linnaeus belongs to the family
Malvaceae. It comprises about 250 species distributed in
tropical and subtropical areas. The plants are annual erect,
bushy herbs and sub - shrubs (Amin et al., 2008). The genus
consist of some very economical and useful species such as
Hibiscus cannabinus L., Hibiscus asper F., Hibiscus tiliaceus
L., Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Hiern and Hibiscus
sabdariffa L. whose importance cannot be overemphasized.
These plants serve as source of fibers, ornamentals, medicine,
tea, oil and cosmetic products (Fasoyiro et al., 2005;
Ayanbadejo et al., 2012).
H. asper (Plates 1a & 1b) was first described in 1849 from
the specimen collected in Sierra Leone (Sprague, 1913). It is
widely distributed throughout tropical Africa, grows in fallow
fields, grassland and edges of gallery forest. It is a perennial
herb whose stems are with five prickles, simple or stellate
hairs up to 2 m tall. Its leaves are alternate, simple and stipules
up to 6 mm long. H. asper belongs to section Furcaria, having
in common a pergamentaceous calyx (rarely fleshy) with 10
strongly prominent veins, 5 running to the apices of the
segments and 5 to the sinuses but the leaf of several other
species of section Furcaria are more well-known vegetables
(Wilson, 1999). H. asper can be distinguished from
related Hibiscus spp. by its stems with fine prickles, poorly
developed vegetative branches, narrow epicalyx lobes which
are not bifurcate having a calyx with nectary, white woolly
hairs and curved prickles or bristles (Burkill, 1997). H.
asper was and sometimes still is considered conspecific
with H. cannabinus and it is probably mainly self-pollinating
which is favoured by the flower structure having style
www.ajbrui.org
Therapeutic and nutritional potentials of Hibiscus asper
334 Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 21, No.3 (September) 2018 Gbadamosi, Abiade and Agbatutu
branches included in the stamina column or hardly exerted.
The study of the material at the Kew Herbarium showed that
H. asper can be distinguished from H. cannabinus by several
characteristics such as the repand lobing of the leaf segments,
the small subglobose capsule and the smaller but more
rounded minutely and densely tubercle seeds with a setose
sinus, all of which warrant its restoration to its own rank
(Sprague 1913).
In Nigeria, the calyx and leaf of H. asper are commonly
used in soups as vegetables in the middle belt and north
eastern regions while it is largely used in the tropical regions
of Africa as potent sedative, restorative tonic, anti-
inflammatory, anti-depressive, anti-anaemic drug as well as in
the management of jaundice (Lucian et al., 2014,). It was
reported by Burkill (1997) that the leaf is highly recommended
by traditional practitioners for the treatment of abscesses,
urethritis, joint pain, male infertility and skin infections in
western region of Cameroon. Also, Schippers and Bosch
(2004) reported the use of the plant in veterinary medicine in
the management of cutaneous infections of the domestic
animals and as an anti-parasitic drug. Although the plant is
used as food and herbs by indigenous people but there is
scarcity of scientific information on its nutritional and
chemical components. This study therefore screened the leaf
and calyx of H. asper for their mineral, proximate and
phytochemical components as well as antioxidant activity
with a view to providing more scientific information on its
nutritional and therapeutic potentials.
Plate 1
A: Calyses of Hibiscus asper; B. Leaves of Hibiscus asper
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection and identification of plant material
The whole plant of H.asper was collected from a garden at
Eyenkorin, Asa Local Government Area, Kwara State,
Nigeria and identified at the University of Ibadan Herbarium
(UIH). The leaf and calyx were separated, washed thoroughly,
cut into small pieces, air dried at room temperature for two
weeks. The dried samples were ground into fine powder using
a milling machine (Miller’s blender). The powdered samples
were stored in an air tight container at 4oC prior to use.
Proximate analysis
The proximate analysis of H. asper leaf and calyx was
screened for the presence of protein, ash, moisture, crude
fibre, fats and carbohydrate using standard procedures
(Greenfield and Southgate, 1992; Horwitz, 2000; AOAC,
2006).
Mineral analysis
The samples were screened for the presence of mineral
contents. The method of Walsh (1971) was used for digestion
of all plant samples thereafter Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu),
Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), were
analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer while
Phosphorus was determined using Vanadomolybdate (Yellow
method), (AOAC, 2006; ASEAN, 2011).
Vitamins analyses
The samples were screened for the presence of thiamin,
riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid and carotenoids in dry
samples. Riboflavin and thiamin were analysed using HPLC
method as described by Wehling and Wetzel, (1984); while
niacin and ascorbic acid was analysed using HPLC method
described by Wills et al., (1977).
Phytochemical Screening
The powdered dried samples of plant were screened for the
presence of active components. The alkaloids,
anthraquinones, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins,
tannins and proanthocyanidins in samples were determined
using standard procedures (Sofowora, 1993; Harborne, 2005;
Tease and Evans, 2005).
DPPH free radical scavenging assay
The method of Brand-Williams et al.,1995 was used to
determine antioxidant activity through DPPH (1, 1–diphenyl–
2–picrylhydrazyl) assay. DPPH (20 mg/dm) was prepared in
80% methanol then 0.2 mg of extract of sample was added to
2.8 ml of DPPH in methanol solution. The mixture was
incubated for 20min in dark room at room temperature (25-30
oC) and the absorbance was read at 517 nm using a
spectrophotometer. Methanol only was used as a blank to
adjust the spectrophotometer to zero absorbance and DPPH
solution was used as the control. The scavenging activity of
each extract was calculated as follows:
Sample control % Inhibition = [1 – (Asample /Acontrol )] x 100
control
Where Acontrol is the absorbance for control and Asample sample
is absorbance for test sample.
Statistical Analysis
All data were subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical
Analysis System (SAS) and the difference between means was
separated using Fishers Pairwise Comparison (FPC).
RESULTS
The nutritional composition of H. asper is presented in Table
1. The calyx had a significantly higher moisture content
(9.03±0.15 %), crude protein (22.93±0.25 %), fat (1.77±0.15
%), ash (3.67±0.15 %) and crude fibre (3.43±0.21 %) while
the leaf had a higher amount of carbohydrate (65.57±0.29 %).
Table 2 shows that the calyx had significant higher calcium
(718.33±7.64 mg/100g), sodium (921.67±5.77 mg/100g),
A
B
Therapeutic and nutritional potentials of Hibiscus asper
335 Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 21, No.3 (September) 2018 Gbadamosi, Abiade and Agbatutu
phosphate (683.33±12.58 mg/100g), iron (17.43±0.12
mg/100g), zinc (0.77±0.06 mg/100g), copper (0.57±0.06
mg/100g) and potassium (78.33±2.89 mg/100g) than the leaf.
Table 1:
Proximate composition of the leaf and calyx of Hibiscus asper
Parameters
Contents (%)
Leaf
Calyx
Ash
3.27±0.06b
3.67±0.15a
Crude fibre
2.67±0.15b
3.43±0.21a
Carbohydrates
65.57±0.29a
59.17±0.32b
Energy
(calculated) Kcal
2343.97±58.30a
2285.03±22.39a
Ether extract
(fat)
1.33±0.06b
1.77±0.15a
Moisture content
8.57±0.21b
9.03±0.15a
Crude protein
18.60±0.26b
22.93±0.25a
Values are expressed as means ± SD. Means with same alphabet
across column are not significantly different at p<0.05.
Table 2:
Mineral composition of leaf and calyx of Hibiscus asper
Parameters
Composition
(mg/100g)
Leaf
Calyx
Calcium
570.00±13.23b
718.33±7.64a
Copper
0.33±0.06b
0.57±0.06a
Iron
13.33±0.21b
17.43±0.12a
Phosphate
476.67±2.89b
683.33±12.58a
Potassium
61.67±5.77b
78.33±2.89a
Sodium
878.33±2.87b
921.67±5.77a
Zinc
0.53±0.06b
0.77±0.06a
Values are expressed as means ± SD. Means with same alphabet
across column are not significantly different at p<0.05.
Table 3:
The Vitamin Composition of the Leaf and Calyx of Hibiscus
asper
Parameters
Composition
(mg/100g)
Leaf
Calyx
Ascorbic acid
15.03±0.21b
22.17±0.21a
Carotenoids
1255.00±21.79b
1660.00±15.00a
Niacin
0.45±0.21b
0.52±0.02a
Riboflavin
0.01±0.02b
0.16±0.02a
Thiamin
0.13±0.02b
0.18±0.01a
Values are expressed as means ± SD. Means with same alphabet
across column are not significantly different at p<0.05.
The calyx of the plant was richer in vitamins than the leaf
(Table 3). It contained significantly higher ascorbic acid
(22.17±0.21 mg/100g), carotenoids (1660.00±15.00
mg/100g), riboflavin (0.16±0.02 mg/100g) and thiamin
(0.18±0.01 mg/100g) than the leaf. The leaf had significant
higher phytochemical contents than the calyx (Table 4). It had
higher alkaloids (1260.00±18.03 mg/100g), cardiac
glycosides (4.10±0.10 mg/100g), flavoniods (471.67±16.07
mg/100g), saponins (471.67±12.58 mg/100g), and
proanthocyaanidins (3.57±0.12 CE/g) than the calyx.
H. asper showed antioxidant activity against DPPH
radical (Table 5). The antioxidant activity of the calyx
(53.33±0.25 %) was significantly higher than that in the leaf
(36.33±0.45 %) whereas the polyphenols of the leaf
(72.50±0.20 mgGAE/g) was higher than that of the calyx
(59.27±0.31 GAE/g).
Table 4:
Phytochemical components of leaf and calyx of Hibiscus
asper
Parameters
Components (mg/100g)
Leaf
Calyx
Alkaloids
1260.00±18.03a
748.33±16.07b
Flavanoids
471.67±16.07a
260.00±15.00b
Tannins
283.33±16.07b
1366.67±20.21a
Saponins
471.67±12.58a
215.00±0.00b
Cardiac glycosides
4.10±0.10a
2.60±0.17b
Anthraquinones
135.00±10.00b
418.33±10.41a
Proanthocyanidins
3.57±0.12a
3.10±0.10b
Values are expressed as means ± SD. Means with same alphabet
across column are not significantly different at p<0.05.
Table 5:
Antioxidant property and polyphenolic composition of
Hibiscus asper
Parameters
Leaf
Calyx
Antioxidants (%
Inhibition)
36.33±0.45b
53.33±0.25a
Polyphenols
(mgGAE/g)
72.50±0.20a
59.27±0.31b
Values are expressed as means ± SD. Means with same alphabet
across row are not significantly different at p<0.05.
DISCUSSION
H. asper contained appreciable proximate content. In the
present study, the leaf and calyx had significant amounts of
protein, carbohydrate, fibre and ash with low values of fat. The
calyx was richer in nutrients than the leaf. The proximate
composition of the plant recorded in this study is in agreement
with the report of Ayanbadejo et al., (2012). Nutritional
compositions of plants have been reported to have numerous
health benefits to man. The significantly high amount of crude
protein, crude fiber and ash recorded in the calyx could be of
immense nutritional benefit since the plant is consumed as
vegetable and the decoction of its dried calyx is prepared as
tonic or juice. Diet rich in fiber content is known to lower
cholesterol level, aid smooth intestinal functioning,
stimulating the proliferation of the intestinal flora and
decreased incidence of several types of diseases such as
diverticular disease and constipation in patients (Naeem et al.,
2013). Proteins are needed for growth, body building and
repair of worn-out tissue. Plant protein has been reported to
have beneficial effect in the management of blood pressure
therefore blood pressure lowering effect of protein may have
important public health implication (Altorf–van der Kuil,
2010; Gbadamosi and Kalejaye, 2017). The presence of ash
Therapeutic and nutritional potentials of Hibiscus asper
336 Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 21, No.3 (September) 2018 Gbadamosi, Abiade and Agbatutu
content in the leaf and calyx indicates that the plant is rich in
minerals.
The calcium, sodium, phosphate, iron, zinc and potassium
contents were significantly higher in the calyx than the leaf.
Ahmed and Chaudhary, (2009) reported that calcium plays a
significant role in muscle contraction, bone and teeth
formation and blood clotting. Magnesium is needed as
cofactor in enzyme catalysis in the body. Iron is an essential
trace element for haemoglobin formation, normal functioning
of the central nervous system and needed in the transport of
oxygen, carbon dioxide during respiration or cellular
metabolism (Heaney, 2009). Klasco, (2011) reported that zinc
stabilizes the structure of proteins, cell membranes and
regulates gene expression and DNA function. Based on
findings of this study regular consumption of the plant as
vegetable or juice could serve as cheap source of the beneficial
nutrients and minerals required for healthy immune and body
function because deficiency in any of these basic nutrients,
micro and macro mineral constituents could lead to a number
of health problems.
The findings on the vitamin contents of leaf and calyx of
the plant indicated that they are good sources of vitamins
particularly ascorbic acid and carotenoids. Fruits and
vegetables are known to be very good sources of vitamins
which functions as immune booster, support normal growth
and development (Jaswir et al., 2011). Ascorbic acid (vitamin
C) is an antioxidant which helps to protect the body against
cancer and other degenerative diseases such as arthritis and
type II diabetes mellitus and strengthens the immune system.
According to Okwu (2004) natural ascorbic acid is vital for
body performance and used in herbal medicine for the
management of common cold and other diseases such as
prostate cancer. The calyx in this study had significantly
higher carotenoids than the leaf. Carotenoids are known to be
the basic source of yellow, orange and red pigments found in
plants and animals (Basu et al., 2001; Sugawara et al., 2009).
Animals are incapable of producing carotenoids therefore
must obtain them from leaves, fruits, flowers of higher plants
and microorganisms such as algae, fungi and bacteria (Mattea
et al., 2009, Hosokawa et al.,2008). Carotenoids are known to
be efficient physical and chemical quenchers of singlet oxygen
(1O2) as well as potent scavengers of other reactive oxygen
species (ROS) (Edge and Touscott, 2010; Cvetkovic et al.,
2013). Carotenoids posses therapeutic properties as it serves
as source of pro-vitamin A or retinol in the body capable of
preventing serious eye diseases such as night blindness
(Takahashi et al.,2006), they act as antioxidants and promote
oxidative stress resistance (Yeum et al., 2009), anti-cancer
(Nishino et al., 2002) and anti-obesity by reducing white
adipose tissue (Maeda et al. 2007). Overall, the higher
antioxidant activity of the calyx could be attributed to its
carotinoids and vitamin C contents, regular consumption of
the calyx may boost body immune, protect cells and prevent
oxidative stress.
Phytochemicals are known to exert their beneficial effects
in the management of many chronic diseases such as
hypertension by reducing the circulating levels of cholesterol
or by inhibiting anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet activities
(Upadhyay and Dixit, 2015). H. asper leaf contained
significant higher amount of alkaloids, flavanoids, saponins,
cardiac glycoscides and proanthocyanidins than the calyx
which justifies the efficacy of methanolic extract of the leaf in
inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and as an
antioxidant agent in the fight against brain oxidative stress
(Lucian et al., 2014; Foyet et al., 2011). Alkaloids have been
used as an antidote in organophosphate poisoning, restoration
of mental alertness, treatment of acute pain, management of
type II diabetes, treatment of malaria and as antibiotics and
analgesic (Zhang et al., 2008; Udochukwu et al., 2015). The
high amount of alkaloids in the leaf of H. asper may be
responsible for its continuous traditional use in the
management of menstrual pain. The calyx contained higher
amount of anthraquinones than the leaf which suggests that it
may be a potent anti-fungal, anti-bacteria and laxative agent.
These anthraquinones which are a sub group of plant
compounds quinones and anthraquinone glycoscides have
been reported to inhibit bacteria, fungi, posses potent laxative
properties and as a good source of natural dye, used for
comestics, food and pharmaceuticals (Alves et al., 2004;
Kumar et al., 2006). Flavonoids are group of bioactive
compounds that are extensively found in foodstuff of plant
origin and its regular consumption is associated with reduced
risk of some chronic disease such as cancer, cardiovascular
disease, inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders.
Therefore the appreciable amount of flavoniod present in the
leaf and calyx could be beneficial to the body as an
antioxidant, hepatoprotective and antiviral agent (Zhu et al.,
2012). Its activity in right amount and proportion will promote
normal body metabolism and prevent degenerative diseases.
H. asper exhibited inhibitory activity against DPPH
radical. The calyx exhibited higher activity than the leaf
indicating that the calyx possessing stronger free radical
scavenging activity could be useful in the management of
metabolic diseases. The high free ravaging scavenging
activity exhibited by the plant parts may be due to the
scavenging process of flavoniods as reported by previous
authors (Kessler et al., 2003). It has been reported that phenols
and polyphenolic compounds, such as flavonoids show
antioxidant activity and their effect on human nutrition and
health cannot be overemphasized. These free radicals cause
decrease in membrane fluidity, loss of enzyme receptor
activity, damage to membrane protein leading to different
disorders like ageing, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, degradation of essential fatty
acids and death (Barros et al., 2007, Li et al., 2007). Therefore
regular consumption of plants with appreciable antioxidant
activity or potentials such as H. asper in our diets could reduce
the reactive oxygen species (ROS) which have been
implicated in pathophysiology of major degenerative
disorders. Synthetic antioxidants have been reported to be
carcinogenic whereas plant antioxidants have little or no side
effects. The consumption of H. asper as natural antioxidant
could be safe, cheap and effective.
In conclusion, H.asper contained appreciable amounts of
nutrients, minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals. The calyx
could be used as food supplement due to its nutritional
contents and antioxidant activity whereas the leaf could be
source of herbal remedy for treatment of diseases based on the
phytochemical contents. Overall, this study justifies the
traditional use of H.asper as food and medicine
Therapeutic and nutritional potentials of Hibiscus asper
337 Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 21, No.3 (September) 2018 Gbadamosi, Abiade and Agbatutu
REFERENCES
Ahmed D., Chaudhary M. A. (2009). Medicinal and
nutritional aspects of various trace metals determined in Ajuga
bracteosa. J. Appl. Sci. Res. 5(7), 864 - 869.
Altorf–van der Kuil W., Engberink M. F., Brink E. J., Van
Baak M. A., Bakker S. J. L., Navis G. (2010). Dietary
Protein and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE
5 (8), e 1 2 1 0 2 . https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0
012102.
Alves D.S., Pérez-Fons L., Estepa A., Micol V. (2004).
Membrane related effects underlying the biological activity of
the anthraquinones emodin and barbalinin. Biochem.
Pharmacol. 68(8), 2999-3004.
Amin I., Emmy H. K. F., Halimatu – saddah M. N. (2008).
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed - Nutritional
composition, protein quality and health benefits. Food 2(1), 1
– 16.
AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemist),
(2006). Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC. In:
Horwitiz, W. th (Ed.). 18th Edition. Association of Official
Analytical Chemists, Washington D.C., USA.
ASEAN Manual of Food Analysis (2011): Regional centre
of ASEAN network of food data system, 1st Edition. Institute
of nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand; pp.1-124.
Ayanbadejo A., Ogundipe O. T. Olowokudejo J. D. (2012).
Taxonomic significance of the epicalyx in the genus Hibiscus
(Malvaceae). Phytologia Balcanica 18(2), 135 - 140.
Barros L., Ferreira M. J., Queiros B., Ferreira I. C. F. R.,
Baptista P. (2007). Total phenols, ascorbic acid, b-carotene
and lycopene in Portuguese wild edible mushrooms and their
antioxidant activities. Food Chem. 103, 413 - 419.
Basu H. N., Vecchio A. J. D., Flider F., Orthoefer F. T.
(2001). Nutritional and potential disease prevention properties
of carotenoids. J. Am. Oil. Chem. Soc. 78(7), 665-675.
Brand-Williams W., Cuvelier M.E., Berset C. (1995). Use
of free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. Food
Sci. and Tech. 28:25–30.
Burkill H.M., (1997). The useful plants of West Tropical
Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 4, Families M–R. 969 pp. Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom.
Cvetkovic D., Fiedor L., Fiedor J., Wiśniewska-Becker A.,
Markovic D. (2013). Molecular base for carotenoids
antioxidant activity in model and biological systems: The
health-related effects. In carotenoids: Food Sources,
Production and Health Benefits; Yamaguchi, M., Ed., pp. 93–
126. Nova Science Publishers: Hauppauge, NY, USA.
Edge R., Truscott T.G. (2010). Properties of carotenoid
radicals and excited states and their potential role in biological
systems. In Carotenoids: Physical, Chemical, and Biological
Functions and Properties; Landrum, J.T., Ed., pp. 283–308.
CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA,
Fasoyiro S.B., Ashaye O.A., Adeola A., Samuel F. O.
(2005). Chemical and storability of fruits flavoured (Hibiscus
sabdariffa L.) drinks. World J. Agric. Sci. 1(2), 165 – 168.
Foyet H.S., Abdou B. A., Ponka R., Asongalem A.E.,
Kamtchouing P., Nastasa V. (2011). Effects of Hibiscus
asper leaves extracts on carrageenan induced oedema and
complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. J. Cell
Anim. Biol. 5(5), 69 - 75.
Gbadamosi I.T., Kalejaye A.O. (2017). Comparison of the
antioxidant activity, phytochemical and nutritional contents of
two antihypertensive ethnomedicinal plants. Ife J. Sci. 19(1),
147 – 158.
Greenfield H., Southgate D. A. T. (1992). Food composition
data: Production, Management and Use. 2nd Edition. Norwich,
United Kingdom.
Harborne J. B. (2005). Phytochemical methods. A guide to
modern techniques of plant analysis. 3rd Edition, Springer Pvt.
Ltd., New Delhi, India.
Heaney R. P. (2009). Dairy and bone health. J Am Coll Nutr
28(Suppl.1), 82S - 90S.
Horwitz W. (2000). (Editor). Official Method of Analysis of
AOAC International. 17th Edition, AOAC International,
Maryland, USA.
Jaswir I., Noviendri D., Hasrini R. F., Octavianti F. (2011).
Carotenoids: Sources, medicinal properties and their
application in food and nutraceutical industry. J Med Plant
Res. 5(33), 7119-7131.
Kessler M., Ubeaud G., Jung L. (2003). Anti- and pro-
oxidant activity of rutin and quercetin derivatives. J Pharm
Pharmacol 55, 131- 142.
Kumar V.P., Chauhan S.N., Padh, H., Rajani M. (2006).
Search for antibacterial and antifungi agents from selected
Indian medicinal plants. J. Ethnopharmacol.107 (2), 182-188.
Li X. M., Li X. L., Zhou A. G. (2007). Evaluation of
antioxidant activity of the polysaccharides extracted from
Lycium barbarum fruits in vitro. Eur Polym J 43, 488 - 497.
Lucian H., Veronica B., Harquin S. F., Alin C., Ionela L.
S., Daniel T., Emil A. (2014). Antioxidative effects of the
methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves in mice. Rom
Biotech Lett 19(3), 9376 – 9383.
Maeda H., Hosokawa M., Sashima T., Funayama K.,
Miyashita K. (2007a). Effect of Medium-chain
Triacylglycerols on Anti-obesity Effect of Fucoxanthin. J.
Oleo Sci., 56(12): 615-621.
Mattea F., Martin A., Cocero M.J. (2009). Carotenoid
processing with supercritical fluids. J. Food Eng. 93: 255-265.
Naeem K., BiBi R., Javid H., Nargis J., Najeeb U. R., Syed
T. H. (2013): Nutritional assessment and proximate analysis
of selected vegetables from parachinar kurram agency. Am J
Res Commun (8), 184-198.
Nishino H., Murakoshi M., Ii T., Takemura M., Kuchide
M., Kanazawa M., Mou X.Y., Wada S., Masuda M.,
Ohsaka Y., Yogosawa S., Satomi Y., Jinno K. (2002):
Carotenoids in cancer chemoprevention. Cancer Metastasis
Rev. 21, 257-264.
Hosokawa M., Sashima T., Miyashita K. (2008).
Suppressive effect of neoxanthin on the differentiation of 3T3-
L1 adipose cells. J. Oleo Sci. 2008;57, 345 – 351.
Okwu D.E. (2004). Phytochemicals and vitamin content of
indigenous spices of Southeastern Nigeria. J Sustain Agric &
Environ, 6(1), 30-37.
Schippers R.R., Bosch C.H. (2004). Hibiscus asper Hook.f.
[Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Grubben, G. J. H. &
Denton, O. A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical
Africa/Resources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale),
Wageningen, Netherlands.
http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp. Accessed 19 February
2018.
Therapeutic and nutritional potentials of Hibiscus asper
338 Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 21, No.3 (September) 2018 Gbadamosi, Abiade and Agbatutu
Sofowora A. (1993). Medicinal plants and traditional
medicine in African, Chichester John Wiley & Sons, New
York, Pp. 97-145.
Sprague T. A. (1913). Miscellaneous Notes: LXI - Hibiscus
asper. Bulletin of miscellaneous information. pp. 418-419.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. His Majesty’s Stationery
Office, London, United Kingdom.
Sugawara T., Yamashita K., Asai A., Nagao A., Shiraishi
T., Imai I., Hirata T. (2009). Esterification of xanthophylls
by human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Arch. Biochem. Biophy.
483: 205-212.
Takahashi M., Watanabe H., Kikkawa J., Ota M.,
Watanabe M., Sato Y., Inomata H., Sato N. (2006).
Carotenoids extraction from Japanese persimmon
(Hachiyakaki) peels by supercritical CO2 with ethanol. Anal.
Sci., 22, 1441-1447.
Tease G.E., Evans W.C. (2005). Pharmacognosy, 11th
edition. Brailliar Tinidel Can. Macmillian Publishers.
Udochukwu U., Omeje F. I., Uloma I. S., Oseiwe F. D.
(2015): Phytochemical analysis of Vernonia amygdalina and
Ocimum gratissimum extracts and their antibacterial activity
on some drug resistant bacteria. Am J Res Commun. 3(5), 225-
235.
Upadhyay S., Dixit M. (2015). Role of polyphenols and other
phytochemicals on molecular signaling. Oxidative Medicine
and Cellular Longetivity, Article ID 504253, 1 – 15..
Walsh L. M. (1971). Instrumental methods for analysis of
soils and plant tissue. Madison. Wis. USA: Soil Science
Society of America Inc. 222.
Wehling R. L., Wetzel D. L. (1984). Simultaneous
determination of pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamine in
fortified cereal products by high-performance liquid
chromatography. J Agric Food Chem 32, 1326-1331.
Wills R. B. H., Shaw C. G., Day W. R. (1977). Analysis of
water soluble vitamins by high-pressure liquid
chromatography, J Chromatogr Sci 15, 262 - 266.
Wilson F. D., (1999). Revision of Hibiscus section Furcaria
(Malvaceae) in Africa and Asia. Bulletin of the Natural
History Museum, Botany Series 29, 47–79.
Yeum K. J., Aldini G., Russell R. M., Krinsky N. I. (2009).
Antioxidant/Prooxidant Actions of Carotenoids. In:
Carotenoids: Nutrition and Helath. Vol.5. Ch.12. Britton, G.,
Liaaen-Jensen, F and Pfander, H (Eds.). Birkhauser Verlag
Basel, ISBN 978-3-7643-7500-3, pp. 235-268.
Zhang Y., Xiaoying L., Dajin Z., Wei L., Jialin Y., Na Z.,
Li H., Miao W., Jie H., Peihong W., Guoguang R., Guang
N., (2008). Treatment of Type II diabetes and dyslipidemia
with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J. Clin. Endocrinol.
Metab. 93(7), 2559 - 2569.
Zhu W., Jia Q., Wang Y., Zhang Y., Xia M. (2012).
“The anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-𝛽-glucoside, a
flavonoid, increases hepatic glutathione synthesis and
protects hepatocytes against reactive oxygen species
during hyperglycemia: involvement of a cAMPPKA-
dependent signaling pathway,” Free Radic Biol Med
52(2), 314–327.
