The Bioscientist (Jan 2023)
ASSESSMENT OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF THE STEM BARK OF ALBIZIA CHEVALIERI
Abstract
Background: Plants produce chemical compounds known as phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have many pharmacological properties which can be harness for the treatment of several diseases. Study aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemicals present in the methanolic stem bark extract of Albizia chevalieri with specific emphasis on investigating its antioxidant properties. Methods: The phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract using the spectrophotometric and the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) methods. Antioxidant evaluation of the extract was investigated using Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and H2O2 free radical scavenging activities of the extract. Results: Spectrophotometric analysis showed the presence of Flavonoids, Steroids, Terpenoids, Saponins, Glycosides, Tannins, Alkaloids, Reducing sugars and Hydrogen cyanides. Quantitative screening showed Terpenoids as the most concentrated in the extract with average concentration of 65.03 ± 0.12µg/100g and hydrogen cyanide as the least concentrated with average concentration of 0.01 ± 0.00 µg/100g. The order of quantitative phytochemical compositions of the extract is: Terpenoids˃ Steroids˃ Saponins˃ Tannins˃ Reducing sugars ˃Flavonoids˃ Glycosides˃ Alkaloids˃ Hydrogen cyanides. GC-MS chromatogram showed 18 peaks of volatile bioactive compounds detected in the extract. The analysis of the volatiles yielded n-Hexadecanoic acid as the most available in the extract with percentage area of 20.75. The antioxidant analysis indicated a concentration dependent antioxidant activity of the extract. Conclusion: This study indicates a potent antioxidant activity of stem bark extract of Albizia chevalieri and suggest that it could be used as a natural antioxidant in the treatment of various ailments.
