Ecological Study of Aspilia africana and Sida acuta and the Comparative Study of Their Phytochemical Constituents

Abstract

Aspilia africana and Sida acuta are two plant species that are widely distributed across Africa and are used in traditional medicine for various ailments. In this study, we aimed to compare their ecological characteristics and phytochemical constituents. Field surveys were conducted in selected sites across Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria to assess the distribution and abundance of the two species. Data on soil type, rainfall, temperature, and altitude were also collected to determine the ecological factors that influence their growth and distribution. Our results showed that A. africana was more widely distributed and had a higher abundance than S. acuta. A. africana was found in a wide range of ecological conditions, including grasslands, savannas, and secondary forests. S. acuta, on the other hand, was found mainly in disturbed habitats such as farmlands, roadsides, and waste grounds. Both species were found to be adaptable to a wide range of soil types, but A. africana had a higher preference for sandy soils while S. acuta was more commonly found in loamy soils. Phytochemical screening was carried out on samples of the two species collected from different sites. The presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenols was determined using standard procedures. Our results showed that both species contained varying concentrations of these secondary metabolites. A. africana had higher concentrations of alkaloids, saponins and tannins (4.20±0.05 mg/100g) of total saponins, (1.18±0.04 mg/100g) of total glycosides, (8.22±0.40 mg/100g) of total alkaloids, (0.40±0.01 mg/100g) of total steroids, and (2.23±0.03 mg/100g) of total tannins, while S. acuta had higher concentrations of flavonoids and saponins (0.28±0.05mg/100g) of total saponins, (0.55±0.02 mg/100g) of total flavonoids, (2.31±0.03 mg/100g) of total alkaloid, (1.51±0.02 mg/100g) of alkaloids, (1.85±0.04 mg/100g) of total steroids. These findings suggest that A. africana and S. acuta may have different medicinal properties and potential applications. Flavonoids and phenols have been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, while alkaloids and tannins are known for their antimicrobial and analgesic activities. Further studies are needed to explore the pharmacological activities of their phytochemical constituents and validate their traditional uses in African medicine.