ANTIOXIDANT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE LEAF OF BREONADIA SALICINA HEPPER AND J. R. I. WOOD (RUBIACEAE)

Abstract

Aim: This research aims to carry out phytochemical screening and to evaluate the antioxidant potential 
of the leaf of Breonardia salicina 
Study design: The study include collection and identification of the plant, phytochemical screening of 
the leaf sample collected, extraction and fractionation of the sample then antioxidant evaluation using 
DPPH and ABTS methods.  
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Kaduna State University, Kaduna-Nigeria 
and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Selangor-Malaysia. The study last for six months. 
Methodology: The plant was collected around Kudingi Village, Giwa Local Government Area, 
Kaduna state, Nigeria. Sample was then identified in the Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello 
University, Zaria. Standard methods of preliminary phytochemical screening followed in screening the 
powdered leaf sample. The dried powdered leaf macerated with 95% ethanol using mechanical shaker, 
dried using rotary evaporator then fractionated using ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The antioxidant 
activity of the extracts and fractions of the plant leaf were evaluated using Trolox as standard 
antioxidant and the Trolox equivalence of the extract /fractions were determined. 
Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of the sample shows the presence of carbohydrates, 
cardiac glycosides, saponins, triterpenes and steroids, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloid and 
anthraquinones. Antioxidant equivalence of the extracts/fractions of the plant at R2 value of 0.9938 
and standard equation (y = 0.9891x - 1.996) was found to be highest at 205.4 ± 0.6 mg Trolox 
Equivalent and lowest at 118.7 ± 2.7 mg Trolox Equivalent. 
Conclusion: The good antioxidant values obatained revealed possible justificstion for the use of the 
plant in the treatment of many diseases that are known to respond to antioxidantion.