Phytochemical Screening by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography, Antioxidant Activities and Acute Toxicity of Trunk Barks Extracts of <i>Lannea velutina</i> A. Rich

Abstract

Lannea velutina is a traditional herbal remedy used to treat various diseases, including hypertension (HBP). Herbal medicines are affordable, and some have minimal side effects; they are rich in bioactive components that encourage prevention and treatment. This work uses appropriate experimental paradigms to investigate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and acute oral toxicity of L. velutina trunk bark extracted in water, methanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and hexane. According to a high-performance thin-layer chromatography profile, this shrub’s bark contains sterols, saponosides, flavonoids, and tannins. Compared to ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts, the methanol extract had the highest total phenolic (607.06 ± 0.6 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoid (20.97 ± 0.23 mg QE/g DW), and condensed tannins (194.50 ± 0.75 CE/g DW) content. The methanol extract displayed the highest antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capability assay (IC50 = 8.59 g/mL; AAI = 4.66) compared to the other extracts. It exhibited antiradical action comparable to that of Trolox (IC50 = 15.16 g/mL), ascorbic acid (IC50 = 11.94 g/mL), and catechin (IC50 = 11.64 g/mL). The connection between flavonoid concentration and hydrophilic antioxidant activity was robust (r = 0.997). Mice were used to evaluate the acute oral toxicity of ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts using guidelines 425 of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. All tested extracts have an estimated LD50 greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight. The truncal bark of L. velutina could be an alternative source for HTA management.