Phytochemical Study and Radical Scavenging Activity of Three Leafy Vegetables Grown in Zitenga Region of Burkina Faso

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the phytochemical composition and radical scavenging activity of three leafy vegetables from Burkina Faso: <i>Cleome gynandra, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Corchorus olitorius</i>. Samples of these plants were collected in Zitenga region, dried, powdered and extracted by decoction using water and a hydroethanolic solvent. Phytochemical screening was carried out by thin layer chromatography. Bioactive compounds, notably flavonoids and phenolic compounds, were measured respectively by the aluminum trichloride (AlCl<sub>3</sub>) method and the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The radical scavenging activity of the extracts was also investigated using the DPPH method. Phytochemical analyzes revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins and saponosides in the three species studied. The highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were obtained respectively with the hydroethanolic extract of <i>Cleome gynandra</i> (223.54 ± 0.18 mg TEA/g DM) and the aqueous extract of <i>Cleome gynandra</i> (69.09 ± 0.26 mg QE/g DM). The best antioxidant activity was obtained with the hydroethanolic extract of <i>Corchorus olitorius</i> (IC<sub>50</sub>: 31.93 ± 1.95 µg /mL). The results showed that the extracts of <i>Cleome gynandra, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Corchorus olitoriu</i>s all exhibited radical scavenging activity, indicating their potential to reduce oxidative stress. These results suggest that <i>Cleome gynandra, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Corchorus olitorius</i> are rich sources of health-promoting phytochemicals. These food plants from Burkina Faso could therefore be transformed into nutraceuticals to promote health and prevent diseases linked to oxidative stress.