Abstract
In this study, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity as well as phenolic content in the leaves,twigs and barks of Brucea javanica (L.) were determined using standard phytochemical screeningmethod, DPPH radical scavenging assay and Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, respectively. Methanolicextracts of these different plant parts were prepared by maceration method. Phytochemical screeningrevealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins in all plant parts. This test also revealed thepresence of alkaloids and saponins in all plant parts except they were absent in the twigs and barks parts,respectively. On the other hand, steroids was absent in all plant parts. DPPH method was used toevaluate the antioxidant properties of the plant parts by measuring the absorbance at 517 nm. Theantioxidant activity was then compared with standard ascorbic acid. Among all parts, methanolic extractof leaves of Brucea javanica (L.) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity at the concentration of 100ppm with 86.19 ± 0.20% inhibition which was comparable with standard ascorbic acid with 97.62 ±0.13% inhibition at the same concentration. The IC50 value of the methanolic extract of leaves was 54.52± 0.16 ppm while the other parts were more than 100 ppm. All plant parts showed IC50 value higher thanthe standard ascorbic acid which recorded IC50 of 9.04 ± 0.09 ppm. The methanolic extract of the leavesalso exhibited the highest total phenolic content which was 105.58 ± 0.21 mg GAE/g extract compared tothe other parts. This result correlated well with the higher antioxidant activity exhibited by themethanolic extract of the leaves. Thus, the leaves part of methanolic extract of Brucea javanica (L.)exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to the other plant parts.
 Keywords: Brucea javanica (L.), simaroubaceae, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, phenolic content
Highlights
Brucea javanica (L.) belongs to the family of Simaroubaceae and is known as “Melada pahit or Lada pahit”
Phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins in all plant parts such as leaves, twigs and barks
Steroids was absent in all plant parts of Brucea javanica (L.)
Summary
Brucea javanica (L.) belongs to the family of Simaroubaceae and is known as “Melada pahit or Lada pahit”. It is widely distributed in the lowland and bush of Malaysia especially in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. This evergreen shrub can be up to 10m in height and their leaves are compound, 12-62 cm in length with 5-15 leaflets, alternate, ovate or lanceolate (Department of Forestry, n.d.). This plant can be used to treat fever, hemorrhoids, ulcers and dysentery (Samy, Sugumaran & Lee, 2005). This plant is known to have important biological activities such
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