Abstract

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC STEM BARK EXTRACTS OF PTEROCARPUS ERINACEUS

A. T. Patrick*, F. P. Samson, K. Jalo, D. Thagriki, H. A. Umaru, M. A. Madusolumuo

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical constitution and in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous and methanolic stem bark extract of Pterocarpus erinaceus. Qualitative analysis of the phytochemical constituents namely, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroid, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycoside and quantitative analysis of phenols, alkaloid, saponins, tannins and flavonoids were performed by the well known test protocols available in the literatures. Antioxidant activity was studied through TBARS, FRAP and DPPH. The phytochemical screening revealed that, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, steroid, alkaloid, tannins, and terpenoids were present (+) while glycoside was absent (-). Quantitative analysis of alkaloid, flavonoids, tannins, Saponins and phenols had revealed that aqueous stem bark extract possesses maximum amounts of flavonoids, and saponins while methanolic stem bark extract possessed maximum amounts of total phenols, alkaloids, and tannin. Antioxidant activity was determined by FRAP assay, TBARS and DPPH. The present study suggest that the stem bark extract of Pterocarpus erinaceus has potent antioxidant activity against the free radicals, major bio-molecules and affords significant protection against oxidative damage and appreciable quantity of phytochemicals.

Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Phytochemical, Ascorbic acid.