Phytochemical Constituents, Antinutritional Factors and In Vitro Antioxidant Potential of SynclisiascabridaRoot Extracts

Abstract

Synclisiascabridais a medicinal plant commonly found in different parts of Africa. The root of this plant has not enjoyed profound investigation as more attention is paid to its leaves. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the phyto-constituents and in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts ofS. scabridaroot. The findings of this study revealed higher amounts of phenolics, saponins and flavonoids in the aqueous extract when compared to the ethanol extract. However, the ethanol extract had higher amounts of phytosterol, tannins, terpenes and alkaloids. Both extracts had excellent free radical scavenging activities. Both extracts also had higher amounts of phytate relative to oxalate content. The aqueous extract was a better scavenger of free radicals as shown by its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ of 66.31 µg/mL as against 85.95 µg/mL that was recorded for ethanol extract. Similarly, the aqueous extract had higher superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging properties when compared to the ethanol extract. However, the ethanol extract had a higher metal chelating power relative to the aqueous extract. The result shows that S. scabridaroot extracts possess excellent radical scavenging properties and suggests that it may play useful roles in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.