Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous, Methanolic and Ethanolic Extracts from the Leaves of Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) from Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in West Africa for its numerous therapeutic properties. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant activity of aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts from leaves collected in Yamoussoukro (Côte d’Ivoire). Extracts were obtained by maceration in different solvents and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. Total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin contents were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS•⁺ radical scavenging assays. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of sterols and polyterpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and quinone compounds, with variations depending on the extraction solvent. The aqueous extract showed the highest total polyphenol content (126.25 ± 2.01 mg GAE/g), while methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited high flavonoid contents (342.51 ± 3.62 and 307.83 ± 1.07 mg QE/kg, respectively). Tannins were more abundant in the aqueous extract. Antioxidant assays demonstrated dose-dependent radical scavenging activity, with organic extracts showing greater effectiveness, particularly the ethanolic extract, which exhibited the lowest IC₅₀ values in both assays. These findings indicate that Alchornea cordifolia leaves are a valuable source of bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant potential, supporting their use in nutraceutical and phytotherapeutic development.