Phytochemical and Antioxidants Screening of Chrysophyllum albidum, Mezoneuron benthamianum, Phyllanthus muellerianus and Acalypha fimbriata

Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of Chrysophyllum albidum, Mezoneuron benthamianum, Phyllanthus muellerianus and Acalypha fimbriata. All the four plants contained alkaloids, tannin and flavonoids. Steroids and anthraquinone were present in C. albidum, M. benthamianum, A. fimbriata. Saponin was present in C. albidum, M. benthamianum and P. muellerianus. Terpenoids were found in C. albidum and A. fimbriata. Cardiac glycosides was present in C. albidum, P. muellerianus and A. fimbriata. The antioxidant activities of the plants were evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Nitric oxide scavenging activity and Reducing power activity. Chrysophyllum albidum had the lowest calculated IC50 for DPPH and NO assessment, 0.913 mg/ml and 117.818 µg/ml respectively. C. albidum also showed the highest value of total antioxidant capacity, 70.36. Acalypha fimbriata had the lowest IC50 for Reducing power potential,11.007 µg/ml but a total antioxidant capacity of 48.9. The Iron II chelation ability of the plants were dose dependent with Acalypha fimbriata showing the closest potential to the standard EDTA and Chrysophyllum albidum showing the least potential. The research has shown that the phytoconstituents and the antioxidant properties of these medicinal plants would be responsible for the therapeutic claims of the plants.