Phytochemical Profile and in vitro Antioxidant Properties of Baphia pubescens Leaves

Abstract

Aims: Baphia pubescens (B. pubescens) is used by local traditional healers among the Ikale people in Nigeria for the management of numerous free radical-mediated ailments and complications. This preliminary study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of B. pubescens leaves as an indigenous medicinal plant. Methodology: The total antioxidant capacity of the plant was investigated using several models including DPPH free radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, metal ion chelating, superoxide anion radical scavenging, ferric ion reducing, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and ABTS radical scavenging. Also, both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical contents of the plant were determined. Results: The results obtained showed the absence of cardiac glycosides and anthraquinones while bioactive components such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, and phenolic compounds were present. The quantitative phytoconstituent evaluation revealed values of 13.31±1.07% and 1.17±0.13% per dry weight for saponins and alkaloids respectively, 8.54±0.81 mg/g rutin equivalent for flavonoids content, 3.32±0.26 mg/g gallic acid equivalent for phenolic compounds content and 1.97±0.21 mg/g tannic acid equivalent for tannins. Antiradical activities were demonstrated by the plant extract against all the free radical-generating models adopted in the current study. For DPPH, IC50 value of 154.054 mg/mL was obtained compared to standard antioxidant, Trolox (IC50 118.112 mg/mL). Conclusion: The plant possessed reasonable scavenging effects on the radicals and anions employed in this study which corroborates the folkloric uses of B. pubescens leaves in treatment and management of diseases associated with oxidative stress since the plant is a good source of natural antioxidant agents.