title: Chemical constituents in n-butanol fractions of Castus afer ker Gawl leaf and stem.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the bioactive compounds in Costus afer Ker Gawl, an indigenous African medicinal plant whose leaf and stem extracts are used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatism and arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The bioactive compounds present in the n-butanol fractions of C. afer leaf and stem were identified using qualitative phytochemical evaluation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analytical method, comparing the mass spectra of the identified compounds with those of the National Institute of Standards and Technology database library.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Qualitative analysis detected alkaloids, saponins, diterpenes, triterpenes, phytosterol, phlobatannins, and tannins in both n-butanol fractions of C. afer leaf and stem. Phenols were detected in leaves alone while flavonoids were present in stem alone. GC/MS data showed that the bioactive compounds in n-butanol fraction of C. afer leaf were indolizine, 2-methoxy-4 vinylphenol, phytol, hexadecanoic acid-methyl ester, n-hexadecanoic acid, 9,12-octadecanoic acid-methyl ester, eicosane, cis-vaccenic acid and oleic acid while n-butanol fraction of C. afer stem contain benzofuran,2,3-dihydro,2-methoxy-4 vinylphenol, 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester, campesterol, stigmasterol, hexadecanoic acid-methyl ester, n-hexadecanoic acid, and cis-vaccenic acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bioactive compounds identified in the n-butanol fractions of C. afer leaves and stem may explain the folkloric use of C. afer plant in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and oxidative stress related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Benjamin S. Carson School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, P.M.B. 21244 Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Godswill Nduka
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Anyasor
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Benjamin S. Carson School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, P.M.B. 21244 Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Onajobi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Funmilayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Benjamin S. Carson School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, P.M.B. 21244 Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Osilesi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Odutola
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, O.A.C.H.S., Olabisi Onabanjo University, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adebawo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olugbenga
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Efere Martins
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Oboutor
keywords: Butanol; Costus afer; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; leaf; stem