Evaluation of Phytochemical Content and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves Extracts, a Medicinal Plant From the Beni-Snassen Forest (Eastern Region of Morocco)

Abstract

A medicinal plant from the Beni-Snassen Forest in the eastern region of Morocco has been studied. This scientific research was carried out to measure the content of essential phytochemical constituents and their antioxidant capacities from the hydromethanolic extract of leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. located on sites at varying levels of altitudes. Our results have shown that at the lowest altitude, there was a height significant (p ≤ 0.05) in the content of flavonoids and polyphenols. On the other hand, the ascorbic acid, chlorophylls, and tannins had a higher content concentration on sites with high altitudes. Analysis correlation shows a hight correlation between the DPPH and the polyphenols content. A correlation between the total antioxidant activity and flavonoid content was found to have many similarities. The results indicated that P. lentiscus L. leaves have significant sources of chemical compounds that might be employed for various purposes.