Phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of some selected medicinal plants

Abstract

Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds that provide plants colour, flavour and odour while antioxidants are compounds that aid in inhibiting free radicals that can damage the cells of an organism. This study was aimed at determining the phytochemical and antioxidant (enzymes) content of Sorghum vulgare leaf-sheath, Eremomastax polysperma and Brillantaisia owariensis leaves. The phytochemicals were quantified using gas chromatography while antioxidant (enzymes) properties were quantified using spectrophotometric method. The results from the study revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols. The concentration of ribalinidine (an alkaloid) was the highest in the three plants, with Sorghum vulgare (85.74 µg/g) having a higher concentration than Eremomastax polysperma (42.49 µg/g) and Brillantaisia owariensis (19.06µg/g). Sorghum vulgare also had a higher saponins concentration (13.29µg/g) than Eremomastax polysperma (9.08 µg/g) and Brillantaisia owariensis (6.99 µg/g) while the phenols concentration of Brillantaisia owariensis (12.33 µg/g) was higher than Sorghum vulgare (3.93µg/g) and Eremomastax polysperma (3.28 µg/g). For the antioxidant contents, Sorghum vulgare had the highest catalase activity (6.97µmol/ml) while Brillantaisia owariensis had the highest superoxide dismutase (3.58 µmol/ml) and glutathione peroxidase (7.56 µmol/ml) activities. In conclusion, from the results obtained, these plants have phytochemicals and antioxidant properties that could help in fighting diseases.