Evaluation of the phenolic and flavonoid contents and radical scavenging activity of three southern African medicinal plants

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Steenkamp, Vanessa
Nkwane, O.
Van Tonder, Jacob John
Dinsmore, A.
Gulumian, Mary

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Academic Journals

Abstract

Warburgia salutaris (Bertol. F.) Chiovs, Rhoicissus tridentata (L.f.) Wild & Drum and Terminalia sericea (Burch. ex DC.), are widely used medicinal plants in southern Africa. The aim of the study was to determine the phenolic and flavonoid content and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the three medicinal plants. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically as gallic acid and rutin equivalents, respectively. Individual phenolic acids were identified by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activities of the crude extracts were assessed using the TEAC assay. The highest phenolic content was detected in the crude methanol extract of the bark of W. salutaris and the highest flavonoid content was found in the crude methanol extract of the leaves of this plant. In all the studied plants the alkaline hydrolysable fraction yielded a greater variety of phenolic acids compared to the soluble/free phenolic acid fractions. The three medicinal plants investigated were found to be strong radical scavengers supporting the traditional use of these medicinal plants.

Description

Keywords

Antioxidant activity, Flavonoids, Medicinal plants, Phenolic acids, Phenolic content, Rhoicissus tridentata, Warburgia salutaris, Terminalia sericea

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Steenkamp, V, Nkwane, O, Van Tonder, J, Dinsmore, A & Gulumian, M 2013, 'Evaluation of the phenolic and flavonoid contents and radical scavenging activity of three southern African medicinal plants', African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 7, no. 13, pp. 703-709.