Comparative phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of the stem and seed of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F. (Curcurbitaceae)
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Date
2016
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Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin
Abstract
This research analyzed and compares the phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of the different fractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol) of the seed and stem extracts of T. occidentalis. Phytochemical studies were done using standard methods and spectrophotometric techniques. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effects. The phytochemistry of the seed fractions showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids while that of the stem extract showed the presence of reducing sugars, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. Only the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the stem contain flavonoid and phenols while the other seed did not contain any flavonoid and phenols. The petroleum ether and chloroform fractions of the seed contain more alkaloid than the stem. The difference was statistically significant at p<0.05. Also, only the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of the stem contains alkaloid while those of the seed did not. The antioxidant activity of the seed fractions (0.5 mg) was found to range from 40.5 to 76.75 % scavenging activity for all the fractions while only the chloroform and ethyl acetate of the stem showed scavenging activity of 69.27 and 76.75 % respectively. The phytochemicals have been reported to be responsible for the pharmacological effect of most medicinal plants. Compounds from the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the stem may be potent leads for potential antioxidant.
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Keywords
Telfairia occidentalis, phytochemical, antioxidant, cucurbitaceae