Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of ethanol leaf extract of Aphania senegalensis (Juss. ex Poir.) Radlkrn

Abstract

Aphania senegalensis (Juss. ex Poir.) Redelk is a plant commonly used in Senegalese traditional medicine to treat different affections. The aims of this study were to investigate the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant potential of the ethanol leaf extract of Aphania senegalensis. Phytochemical investigation done with standard reactions had revealed that flavonoids, tannins, sterols and triterpenoids were the main constituents of the leaf extract. The phenol content was 151.63±10.92 mg equivalent tannic acid/g of ethanol dried extract. The extract exhibited ability to reduce ferric ion. From 1.95 to 31.25 µg/ml the absorbance values of the extract varied respectively from 0.024±0.009 to 0.36±0.31. On ABTS, nitric oxide and DPPH radicals reducing assays, the IC50 values of the extract were respectively 4.12± 0.11- 190.51±6.7- 2.77 ± 0.03 µg/ml.