Nutritional, Therapeutic and Antioxidant Activity Potential of the Leaves of Wild and Regenerated Euadenia trifoliolata Schum & Thonn. Oliv. (Capparaceae) Plants

Abstract

Aims: This study focused on quantifying nutritional and therapeutic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity in Euadenia trifoliolata, a medicinal plant consumed as a vegetable and used in traditional medicine to treat otitis, anaemia, tuberculosis and arthritis, and as an aphrodisiac. Study Design: This experimental study compared the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of aqueous, methanolic and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts from wild and cultivated E. trifoliolata plants. Place and Duration of Study: The study addressed the management and valorisation of secondary forest products, particularly medicinal plants threatened with extinction. It was carried out in 2025 at Nangui Abrogoua University, Côte d'Ivoire. Methodology: Nutritional and therapeutic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity were evaluated in aqueous, methanolic and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of wild and cultivated E. trifoliolata plants using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) methods. Results: Leaf protein content ranged from 0.17 ± 0.02% to 0.44 ± 0.03%, while reducing sugar content ranged from 0.005 to 0.025 mg/mL. Vitamin C content ranged from 0.04% to 0.15%, and fibre content was close to 95%. Regenerated plants yielded higher values for protein, vitamin C and fibre, at 0.44 ± 0.03%, 0.12 ± 0.01% and 92.88 ± 0.07%, respectively. The levels of therapeutic compounds ranged from 0.07 to 0.15 mg/mL for phenols, 0.29 to 0.35 mg Eq AG/g SE for flavonoids and 0 to 45 mg/mL for tannins. Aqueous extracts of cultivated plants showed a higher DPPH value of 97.36 ± 1.62%. Methanolic extracts from Banco yielded a higher DPPH value of 99.82 ± 0.06% and a higher FRAP value of 96.38 ± 4.80%. Conclusion: These results support the multiple uses of this species by local populations.