Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant Potential of Dichloromethane Extracts of Strychnos henningsii Gilg. and Ficus sycomorus L.
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Date
2023
Authors
Wafula, Kenedy Wanjala
Mworia, Joseph Kiambi
Ngugi, Mathew Piero
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Publisher
Hindawi
Abstract
Medicinal plants are a rich source of antioxidants such as favonoids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids among others and are
currently used as alternative and complementary drugs in the management of stress-related disorders. Strychnos henningsii and
Ficus sycomorus have been traditionally used by the people of Mbeere, Embu county, Kenya, as medicine for the treatment of
various oxidative stress-related disorders such as diabetes and rheumatism; however, no empirical data are available to authenticate the said claim. Te aim of this study was to evaluate preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant
activity of dichloromethane (DCM) leaf extract of S. henningsii and stem bark extract of F. sycomorus using DPPH, hydrogen
peroxide, and ferric reducing power assays; total favonoids and phenolic compounds were also determined by colorimetric assay
and Folin–Ciocalteu reaction, respectively. Phytochemical screening showed that both extracts possessed saponins, favonoids,
phenols, steroids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides; however, terpenoids were found to be absent in S. henningsii. Te total
phenolic and favonoid content of the DCM stem bark extract of F. sycomorus was lower than that of the leaf extract of
S. henningsii. Tese extracts signifcantly exhibited strong antioxidant activities at diferent concentrations tested. Te IC50 values
of S. henningsii and F. sycomorus were 0.325 mg/ml and 0.330 mg/ml for hydrogen peroxide and 0.068 mg/ml and 0.062 mg/ml for
DPPH, respectively. Both DCM leaf and stem bark extracts of S. henningsii and F. sycomorus were found to have strong ferric
reducing power. Terefore, both extracts showed signifcant nonenzyme-based antioxidant activities. Te two plants possess
phytochemicals that have signifcant antioxidant properties.
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Wanjala Wafula, K., Kiambi Mworia, J., & Piero Ngugi, M. (2023). Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant Potential of Dichloromethane Extracts of Strychnos henningsii Gilg. and Ficus sycomorus L. The Scientific World Journal, 2023.