Phytochemical screening, phenol content and antioxidant studies of ethanol leaf extract of Celtis toka (Forssk.) Hepper & J.R.I. Wood

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the phytochemical groups of leaf extract of Celtis toka Forssk.) Hepper & J.R.I. Wood, to evaluate the phenol content of extracts and their antioxidant activity. Coumarins, flavonoids, mucilage, triterpenoids and steroids were the main phytochemical constituents of the leaf extract. The ethanol extract and its fractions were found to be active on the 4 antioxidant methods. On ABTS assay the ethanol extract (IC50 : 48.6±6.8 µg/ml) was more active than its three fractions while on nitric oxide test the said extract had similar effect than the more active fraction (aqueous fraction). The ethyl acetate and the chloroform fractions were found to be more active on DPPH and FRAP tests respectively.