Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Properties of Aqueous Leaf Extract of <i>Myrianthus arboreus</i>

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical compositions and in vitro antioxidant properties of aqueous leaf extract of Myrianthus arboreus plant. The phytochemical analysis was determined using standard laboratory methods and the in vitro antioxidant properties assessed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and Reducing Power assay. The leaf extract showed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides and total phenol. These phytochemicals are in varying concentrations: saponins (2.05±0.02mg/g), flavonoids (0.33 ± 0.02mg/g), alkaloids (0.02±0.00mg/g), tannins (5.32 ± 0.01mg/g), total phenol (11.02 ± 1.00mg/g) and glycosides (0.48 ± 0.00mg/g). Also, the result of the antioxidant studies revealed that the percentage inhibition of Myrianthus arboreus aqueous leaf extract against free radical at different concentrations of 125µg/ml, 100µg/ml, 75µg/ml, 50µg/ml and 25µg/ml for both assays gave 74.4% and 64.5% respectively as compared to the standard (Ascorbic acid) values of 101.0% and 94.1%. Thus, the antioxidant activity of the extract was significant (p<0.05) for both assays when compared with the standard. However, the Reducing Power assay revealed increased significance. This implies that the inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of Myrianthus arboreus leaf extract is lower than the standard ascorbic acid and therefore suggests that it is a potent antioxidant capable of scavenging excess free radicals. In conclusion, it can be deduced that the phytochemical compositions especially the total phenols which are higher in concentration when compared with other phytochemicals are responsible for the antioxidant properties of the plant and can invariably serve as natural supplements of antioxidant in foods and pharmaceutical products.

Protective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of myrianthus arboreus on indomethacin induced gastric ulcer in adult male wistar rats

“…The leaves are traditionally used as a remedy in cases of amenorrhea, female infertility, and to improve lactation [21] . It has also been reported to possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties [22,23] .…”