Comparative study on selected phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts of Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel. (Combretaceae)

Abstract

The shrub Guiera senegalensis is rich in medicinal properties which are linked to its phytochemical constituents especially phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The aim of this research is to compare the antioxidant activities viz-a-viz the phenolics and alkaloids in the root, stem bark and leaf methanol extracts of this shrub. Total phenolic, total flavonoid and antioxidant activities were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride and DPPH free radical methods respectively. Results were presented as mean ± SD and were further analysed by ANOVA at 95 % confidence interval. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in total phenolic, total flavonoid and antioxidant activity between the extracts. In all the activities tested, the root was found to be the highest followed by the stem bark and then the leaf. It can be concluded that the root of this plant should be used for antioxidant activity in preference to its stem bark and leaf.