Comparative evaluation of phytochemical, in vitro antioxidant activities and elemental composition of the fruit, leaves, and stem bark of Tetrapleura tetraptera

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, medicinal plants are widely accepted as a better option than synthetic medications due to their lower cost and little to no side effects. The current study aimed to compare the elemental composition, phytochemical profile, and antioxidant efficacy of n-hexane extracts derived from Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit, stem bark, and leaves. Methods: The fresh fruits, leaves, and stem bark of the plant were collected and dried. The dried samples were pulverized and exhaustively extracted with n-hexane. The extracts were screened for both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents. Antioxidant parameters such as Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Property (FRAP) and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH) were also carried out. The elemental analysis of the various organs was also evaluated using standard protocols. Results: The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenes, resins, and phenolswas revealed in the phytochemical data. The stem bark of T. tetraptera has higher concentrations of alkaloids and flavonoids than the leaf and fruit, according to a quantitative examination of the phytochemical elements of the plant. The stem bark had the highest Total Phenolic Content at 1000 µg/mL, whereas the leaves had the lowest TPC at 200 µg/mL.At a concentration of 1000 µg/mL, the stem bark exhibited the greatest activity of total flavonoid (TFC) in the plant extracts, followed by the fruits and leaves. At 1000 µg/mL concentration, the FRAP test revealed the maximum activity in the stem bark. Generally speaking, when concentration rises, so do the TPC, TFC, and FRAP activities. Compared to the standard ascorbic acid (2.76 µg/mL), stem bark exhibited the highest level of DPPH antioxidant activity, with an IC 50 of 13.34 µg/mL. The elemental analysis revealed that the stem bark had the highest concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Fe, followed by the fruit and leaves, in that order.Conclusion: This research result has established that the plant, T tetraptera can be standardized and offer an alternative eco-friendly drug for immunity building. The stem barks are underutilized, however, its phytochemical studies and other investigations pointed to its potential in the cosmeceutical industries and medicine. Keywords: Antioxidant activity, ethnomedicine, ferric-reducing assay, medicinal plant