Free radical scavenging activity and total polyphenol content of securidaca longipedunculata roots and leaves extracts

Abstract

Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen. is a widely used medicinal plant in most of the African countries. This paper aims to compare the polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of some extracts obtained from S. longipedunculata roots and leaves in different solvents: ethanol (E), petroleum ether (PE), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and water (W). Polyphenols were analysed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was performed by several in vitro methods (DPPH bleaching, FRAP, nitrite-induced auto-oxidation of haemoglobin, inhibition of lipid peroxidation catalysed by cytochrome C). Our results revealed that the leaves were abundant in phenolic principles than the roots and the EtOAc was the appropriate solvent for their extraction. The EtOAc extracts exhibited the best antioxidant potential. Several polyphenols were determined in the leaves extracts for the first time: hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin, p-coumaric acid.