Phytochemical Screening, and in-Vitro Antioxidant Activities in Different Solvent Extracts of Vitex Doniana Leaves, Stem Bark and Root Bark

Abstract

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activities in different solvent extracts of Vitex doniana leaves, stem bark and root bark was carried out. The extracts were subjected to various chemical test for phytochemical constituents, total phenolic contents were evaluated using Folin Ciocalteu method and their antioxidant activity was assayed through in- vitro radical scavenging activity using DPPH• assay, phytochemical screening of this study indicate the presence of cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponnins, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids. The average total phenol content of leaves methanol and leaves ethanol extracts were significantly (P<0.05) higher when compared with the total polyphenol contents in the acetone and aqueous solvent extracts. In order of effectiveness (IC50) of the plant extracts the potent inhibitors was leaves ethanol extract (0.227mg/ml), follow by stem bark ethanol extract (0.236mg/ml), the least was the root ethanol extract (0.567mg/ml).This shows that Vitex doniana solvent extracts especially the ethanolic leaves extracts may be a potent source of natural antioxidant and it use in the management of diseases associated with oxidative stress is justify.