Ezekiel O Afolabi
University of Jos, Nigeria
Title: Characterization and identification of snake repellents and snake anti-venom from some medicinal plants
Biography
Biography: Ezekiel O Afolabi
Abstract
Six commonly known plants in Jos environment, Plateau state of Nigeria are used as snake repellants and as anti-snake venom. The powdered form of these plant materials were obtained from “Obyia’s Herbal Medicine” here in Jos. The powder was weighed and 10g of each of the six samples were soaked in methanol for three working days. The extracts were filtered and about 2 ml of each sample were placed in six different labeled sample bottles. The samples were spotted on the TLC plates and their chromatograms were developed in three different solvent systems. The results were viewed under 245 and 365 λmax UV-light. Phyto-chemical analysis of each sample was carried out, and all the samples have the similar phyto-chemical principles like; tannins, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. In view of this and because it has a peculiar nice fragrance, which may be the reason for its use as snake repellant, Sample 1 was selected for detailed chemical characterization of each component in its extract by LC-MS.