BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF APHRODISIAC PLANTS PRODUCTS SOLD IN LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE

This study aimed to investigate the biochemical properties of aphrodisiac plants materials found in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to provide scientific validation for their traditional use in enhancing sexual health. Three different plant materials were collected from railway road, Lafia neighbourhood market and were authenticated by a botanist at Federal University of Lafia. The samples were washed, dried, and pulverized for extraction using water and N-Hexane. Phytochemical screening was performed for key compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids and glycosides. Essential trace metals (Copper, Zinc, Iron, Manganese and Magnesium) were analyzed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and caffeine content was determined via titration method. Results showed that aqueous extracts had higher yields than N-Hexane extracts, with Sample B having the highest extraction yield at 38% (aqueous) and 34% (N-Hexane). Phytochemical screening revealed that alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides were found in Sample A (aqueous) whereas, saponins and steroids were absent, the N-Hexane extract of the same sample contained flavonoids, tannins and steroids but alkaloids, saponins and glycosides were absent. Out of the parameters assessed, only flavonoids was found absent in sample B (aqueous) and Sample B (N-Hexane), contained flavonoids, saponins, steroids and glycosides but alkaloids and tannins were absent. Sample C (aqueous) had a similar result to that of the N-Hexane extract of sample B but glycosides were absent while sample C (aqueous) had presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and steroids but saponins and glycosides were apparently absent. Caffeine content was highest in Sample B (6.8mg), followed by Sample A (5.5mg), and Sample C (4.9mg) which were all below the WHO recommended limits for caffeine intake per day for adults of 400mg. Trace metal analysis showed that Sample A had 2.7mg/g of Copper, 1.3mg/g of Zinc, 4.3mg/g of Iron, 1.0mg/g of Manganese, and 10.3 mg/g of Magnesium, while Sample B had 2.5 mg/g of Copper, 0.9mg/g of Zinc, 5.3mg/g of Iron, 0.6mg/g of Manganese, and 11.8mg/g of Magnesium which are all above the WHO recommended limits for trace and heavy metals intake of 0.1mg/g for Cu, 0.2mg/g for Zn, 0.5mg/g for Fe and Mn and 5mg/g for Mg. The findings validate the traditional use of these plants due to their rich bioactive compounds and essential metals crucial for reproductive health although the results obtained from this study is not in line with the recommended limits by WHO for caffeine and metals intake but it agrees with several other studies which found that most aphrodisiac plants contain trace and heavy metals excessively. Further studies are recommended to explore their clinical efficacy, safety, and pharmaceutical application.