Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity and Inhibitory Potential of Five Kenyan Medicinal Plants
Mukhwana Dennis Wafula *
Department of Zoology, Maseno University, P.O.Box 333-40105, Maseno, Kenya and Science for Health Society, P.O.Box 44970 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Ayieko Cyrus
Department of Zoology, Maseno University, P.O.Box 333-40105, Maseno, Kenya.
Mweresa Collins
Science for Health Society, P.O.Box 44970 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya and Department of Biological Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 210-40601, Bondo, Kenya.
Ingonga Johnstone
Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
Matoke-Muhia Damaris
Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate preliminary phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activities of five plants (Olea europaea, Kigelia africana, Terminalia mollis, Croton macrostachyus and Bridella micrantha extracts). The plants were collected from Baringo County in Kenya, dried, pulverized into fine powders and extracted using methanol. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, aminoacids and proteins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids. The root extracts were further investigated for their potential antioxidant activity by using radical scavenging DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) technique. Methanol extract of roots from the plants showed significant differences in DPPH radical scavenging activities. The results were concluded that extracts have a more secondary metabolites and potential source of antioxidants, which is warranty to evaluate further in vivo pharmacological studies.
Keywords: Antioxidant activity, bridella micrantha, croton macrostachyus, Kigelia Africana, olea europaea, terminalia mollis, secondary metabolites