Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antioxidant properties of extracts from leaves, stem-barks and roots of Pterocarpus Erinaceus

Abstract

Oxidative stress is found to be associated with the etiology of several human diseases. Free radicals are the causative agent of oxidative stress, and can be scavenged by either natural (plants) or synthetic antioxidants. Synthetic antioxidants have some side effects which push a lot of research focuses on natural antioxidants. Pterocarpus erinaceus is a medicinal plant employed as traditional remedy for the treatment of several diseases associated with oxidative stress. This basis, the present study aimed at screening phytochemical and evaluating antioxidant properties of extracts from leaves, stem-barks and roots of Pterocarpus erinaceus. Leaves, stem-barks and roots of Pterocarpus erinaceous after collection were air-dried and pulverized. Each was extracted with methanol and the methanolic extracts were used. Phytochemicals were screened, in vitro, and in vivo antioxidant studies conducted. Rats were grouped into; Group 1: Normal control (liquid paraffin, vehicle 1 ml.kg), Group 2: Negative control (received 1 ml/kg CCl4), Group 3: Positive control (received 1ml/kg CCl₄ +1 ml/kg Silymarin), Group 4-6: Extract treated rats (received 1 ml/kg CCl₄ + varied doses of Extracts at 100, 200, and 400mg/kg body weight of rats). The treatment was done daily via oral means for 14 days. The results of the study showed Pterocarpus erinaceus rich in different phytochemicals which possess free radicals scavenging properties. In vivo study revealed that Pterocarpus erinaceus could ameliorate CCl₄ toxicity in a way that seem to be via elevation of endogenous antioxidant activities. In conclusion, the leaves of Pterocarpus Erinaceus possessed more of the components rich with antioxidant properties hence its recommendation for further study to identify molecules enshrined therein.