Review of Phytochemical Analysis of Selected Traditional Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of this review is to identify which types of selected medicinal plants for phytochemical characteristics were analyzed and which one is not analyzed as Ethiopian levels. In this review, the most traditional medicinal plant species found and used in Ethiopia are chosen. The state of the phytochemical characteristics of selected medicinal plants was stated under the literature. The qualitative phytochemical characteristics, some of which are the most important phytochemicals such as Tannins, Alkaloids, Saponins, Cardiac Glycosides, Steroids, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Phlobatannins, Anthraquinones, and Reducing Sugars are studied by researcher. Most studies reviled that some phytochemical properties present in some medicinal plants while some of phytochemical properties are absent in some medicinal plants as well as the phytochemical properties of some species were studied like Opuntia ficusindica (L.) Miller (Yebereha Kulkual), Eucalyptus globules Labill (Nech Bahir Zaf), Cordia Africana Lam. (Wanza), Foeniculum vulgare. (Ensilal). However, some most important phytochemical properties of medicinal plants like Barleria eranthemoides R. Br. Ex C. B. Cl. (Yesetaf), Premna schimperi Engl. (Chocho), Capparis tomentosa L. (Gumero), Tragia pungens (Forssk.) Mull. Arg. (Ablalit) and Cymbopogonsp. (Serdo), Tribulus terrestris L. (Kurinchit) are not studied in Ethiopia. This review has shown that traditional medicinal plants those phytochemical properties are not studied have various medicinal purpose like treating mastitis, preventing boils, Haemorrhoids, congestion, headache, hepatitis, liver, vertigo, stomatitis, kidneys, liver, and vision for treating anemia, hemorrhoid coughs, fluxes, and stomatitis in most animals and human beings. So that identifying the plants based on the investigation and analysis of phytochemical properties of such plant species are more important as Ethiopian levels.