Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of the Fruits and Leaves of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv (Guttiferae)

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To compare the phytochemical constituents in the leaves and fruits of Allanblackia floribunda and determine their free radical scavenging activity. Methods: The fruit and leaves of AF collected from the uncultivated farmlands of Okeigbo; Ondo State; Nigeria; were dried; milled and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. Free radical scavenging activity was determined by measuring the decrease in the visible absorbance of 2;2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) on addition of the plant extract. The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50); which is the concentration of extract needed to decrease the initial absorbance of DPPH by 50was determined graphically. Total phenolic; flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents were determined by spectro-photometric methods. Results: Alkaloids; anthraquinones; tannins; saponins; steroids; terpenoids; flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were found to be present in both the fruits and leaves. Only AF fruit contained phlobatannins. IC50 values of 0.01; 0.02 and 0.1 mg/ml were recorded for Vitamin E; AF leaves and AF fruits respectively. Total phenolic; total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were 65; 0.07 and 2.38 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF fruits; and 12; 51.35; 19.5 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF leaves as gallic acid; rutin and catechin equivalents respectively. Conclusion: AF leaves are five times more potent as a free radical scavenger compared to the fruits though the fruit was found to contain a higher phenolic content