Phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Schefflera bojeri (Seem.) R. Vig. (Araliaceae)

Abstract

Schefflera bojeri possesses several therapeutic virtues: the leaves are used to alleviate hypertension and the bark for the treatment of diabetes. This work aims to verify its potential medicinal virtues. Quantitative analyses of phytochemicals from the leaves and bark were performed using spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant capacity was determined with DPPH and FRAP assays. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the two methanol extracts were respectively assessed on the in vivo experimental pain and oedema models. Their antidiabetic property was determined using the oral glucose tolerance test in mice. The acute toxicity of the methanolextracts was evaluated in mice. The total bioactive compound content (TBCC) in the leaves was two-fold more than in the bark as well as the total phenolic compounds (TPC). Oxalic acid (22.39%) was the main compound quantified in the bark, while ferulic acid (18.42%) was of the main molecule in the leaves. The leaves exerted a stronger antioxidant activity than the bark against DPPH but exerted a similar activity on ferric ions. Both the methanol extracts showed a similar dose-dependent analgesic activity ( p < 0.05). Yet, the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extracts at each phase of observation (1h, 2h, 3h and 4h, p < 0.05, respectively) was in a dose-dependent manner however the leaves exerted more potent activity than the bark at the dose of 200 mg/kg at each time of observation. Both of the extracts demonstrated a dose-dependent hypoglycaemic activity at 60- and 120 min post glucose administration ( p < 0.01). Both of the methanol extracts did not show any sign of preliminary toxicity. The secondary metabolites in the extracts could be at the origin of preliminary pharmacological properties justifying the therapeutic virtues of this species. Further phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies should be undertaken to better clarify these biological activities. • Schefflera bojeri leaves are used to alleviate hypertension and its bark is used to treat diabetes. • Oxalic acid (22.39%) was the major compound quantified in the bark and ferulic acid (18.42%) was those of the leaves. • The methanol extracts exerted antalgic and anti-inflammatory activities in a dose-dependent manner. • The methanol extracts decreased the glycaemia dose-dependently. • The methanol extracts did not reveal any toxicity signs using an acute toxicity assay.