Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of Mistletoe-Infested and Non-Infested Terminalia Catappa L. Leaves

Abstract

Phytochemicals are vital bioactive compounds that contribute to plant defence mechanisms and human health. This study investigated the impact of mistletoe (Loranthus sp.) infestation on the phytochemical composition of Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) leaves a medicinally and ecologically significant tropical species widely used in ethnomedicine. Fresh leaves were collected from healthy (HTL), branch-infected (INF-B-L), and generally infected (INF-G-L) T. catappa trees within Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Standard qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were performed on methanolic extracts using spectrophotometric assays for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, and tannins. Data were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test at a 95% confidence level (p < 0.05). Results revealed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in alkaloids (1.23 ± 0.01 mg/g → 1.06 ± 0.01 mg/g), flavonoids (9.62 ± 0.02 mg/g → 8.88 ± 0.03 mg/g), phenols (6.52 ± 0.02 mg/g → 6.19 ± 0.02 mg/g), and tannins (1.84 ± 0.01 mg/g → 1.70 ± 0.01 mg/g) from healthy to infested leaves, respectively, while saponins increased slightly (1.22 ± 0.01 → 1.26 ± 0.01 mg/g). Anthraquinones were absent in all samples. These findings show that mistletoe infestation alters the bioactive compounds of T. catappa leaves and highlight the importance of regular monitoring and control of parasitic plants to maintain the therapeutic integrity of economically and ethnobotanically valuable species.