Phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoid content of Senna didymobotrya

Abstract

Senna didymobotrya has been used in Kenya by the Kipsigis community to control malaria as well as diarrhoea. The Pokot prepare charcoal from the stem for milk preservation. Research has not been done to investigate the effect of different extraction solvents on yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content of Senna didymobotrya plant roots. The aim of this study was to compare root extract yield of diethyl-ether, methanol, and aqueous solvents; phytochemical screening; and total phenolic and flavonoid content of Senna didymobotrya plant roots. Extraction was done by the Soxhlet method. Phytochemical screening was done using Harborne's (1973) method with a slight modification. Total flavonoid content was determined by aluminium chloride colourimetric assay at 420 nm. Total phenolic content was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu at 760 nm using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Extraction yield of diethyl ether, methanol, and distilled water were 3.72 g (7.44%), 4.97 g (9.94%), and 9.09 g (18.18%), respectively, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the yields obtained using the different solvents. Phytochemical screening was positive for phenols, tannins, saponins, gladiac glycosides, anthraquinones, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Total flavonoid content was found to be 48.3 ± 1.5 (QEmg/g) and total phenol content was calculated as 34.5 ± 0.1 (GAEmg/g). Distilled water can be utilized as the best extraction solvent. Senna has a high amount of flavonoid and phenolic content. The limitation of this research is that it only tested root extracts and not leaves, flowers, or seeds. More studies need to be done to isolate the different compounds identified.