STUDY OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF STEM BARK EXTRACTS OF Vitex doniana (BLACK PLUM)

Abstract

V. doniana, a tropical plant used by traditional herbalists in combating oxidative stress-related diseases in Africa. The research is determined to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of extracts of V. doniana. The extracts of exactly 200 g of the weight of the sample powder in 500 mL beakers containing 400 mL of aqueous, methanol and ethyl acetate separately, was successfully performed by maceration. The Phytochemicals constituents of various extracts of the V. doniana was separately determined. The phytochemicals in all extracts were characterized by HPLC/PAD. The percentage yield of the extracts recorded was 5.41 %, 3.22 % and 2.20 % for methanol (MEV), ethyl acetate (EEV) and water (WEV) extracts of V. doniana, respectively. All the phytochemicals evaluated were detected in MEV and WEV except anthraquinones, while alkaloids and saponins were not detected in EEV. In 250 µg/mL extract, the flavonoid levels recorded in MEV, WEV, and EEV were 42.67±0.47, 42.50 ± 1.65, and 45.17±0.71 µg/mL, respectively. At 250 µg/mL of WEV, MEV, and EEV extracts, lower % free radical scavenging properties recorded were 75.63±0.04, 69.84±0.00, and 68.83±0.01 %, respectively, compared to d (97.83±0.00 %). An increase in reducing ability was recorded in 250 µg/mL of MEV (1.16±0.08), followed by WEV (1.09±0.04), and EEV (1.00±0.01) compared to standard Ascorbic acid (1.48±0.03). These could explain the medicinal potentials of extracts of V. doniana.