Analysis of Solids from Crude Leaf Extracts of Gongronema Latifolium

This research work was conducted to analyze solids from crude leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium often employed in treating diabetics using the thin layer chromatography and ultraviolet spectroscopy methods. Gongronema latifolium (GL) fresh leaves were dried, pulverized and the liquid soluble portion gotten by soxhlet extraction using ethyl acetate and ethanol as solvents. Thin layer chromatography was done on both extracts, which gave good separation. Again, some of the fresh leaves were expressed and extract of the soluble portion gotten. This portion was separated into the acidic, basic and neutral components. Three of them gave crystals on evaporation, these crystals were further purified and analyzed using ultraviolet spectroscopy and their absorption spectrum interpreted. From thin layer chromatography, colors of green, yellow and black were seen, showing the presence of colored compounds in the leave. Extracts of the soluble portion yielded 12.8g acidic crystals, 16.0g basic crystals and 7.5g neutral crystals. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was done on the crystals, the results showed that the absorption spectrum for the acidic component of the solid extracts can be related to the absorption bands of three organic acidic compounds. That for the basic portion can be related to the absorption bands of two organic basic compounds which are both derivatives of hydrogen cyanamide. While that for the neutral portion can be related to the absorption bands of two organic neutral compounds. These organic components are believed to be the active constituents in the leaves of Gongronema latifolium leading to its use for treatment of diabetes.