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Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Volume: 57 Issue: 3

  • Open Access
  • Research Article

Assessment of the phytochemical properties and cytotoxicity of three medicinal plants used by pig farmers against African Swine Fever in Southwest Nigeria

O. E. Onarinde 1*, O. J. Abiola2, P. D. Luka3, O. A. Adebiyi1 and A.O.K. Adesehinwa4

1Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, 2 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, 3National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria, 4 Institute of Agriculture and Research, Moor Plantation, Apata, Ibadan. Oyo State, Nigeria.

Year: 2026, Page: 453-460, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2026.57.3.453-460

Received: June 25, 2026 Accepted: Sept. 2, 2026 Published: Sept. 30, 2026

Abstract

The findings underscore the importance of region-sensitive strategies for integrating ethnoveterinary knowledge into contemporary livestock health programmes, as adoption patterns differ across the Southwestern states of Nigeria. Of the 12 plants being used, brimstone leaf, sunflower leaf and banana leaf ranked highest. Phytochemical screening revealed that, although the samples shared several major phytochemical groups, notable qualitative and quantitative differences were evident. Sunflower aqueous extract (SAE) contained additional bioactive compounds of potential therapeutic relevance, whereas sunflower methanol extract (SME) exhibited stronger cardiac glycoside activity, indicating distinct medicinal attributes. Similarly, brimstone aqueous extract (BAE) and brimstone methanol extract (BME) differed in phytochemical composition, with brimstone aqueous extract (BAE) showing greater abundance of phenols, tannins, anthraquinones, steroids, and cardiac glycosides, suggesting a broader pharmacological profile. Also, the enhanced phytochemical richness observed in banana aqueous extract (BAAE) relative to banana methanol extract (BAME) further indicated wider therapeutic potential, particularly in antioxidant, antimicrobial, and metabolic-modulating activities, consistent with trends reported for related botanical species. Variations in phytochemical detectability across extracts may be attributed to differences in extraction and processing procedures. In vitro cytotoxicity assessment using the MTT assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in cytotoxicity, with sunflower leaf (8.4x1014) and brimstone leaf aqueous extracts (368.1381) exhibiting the most favourable biocompatibility profiles

Keywords: Phytochemical, MTT assay, extract toxicity, African swine fever

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Cite this article

Onarinde, O. E., Abiola, O. J., Luka, P. D., Adebiyi, O. A. & Adesehinwa, A. O. K. (2026). Assessment of the phytochemical properties and cytotoxicity of three medicinal plants used by pig farmers against African Swine Fever in Southwest Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 57(3), 453-460

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