Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, PROXIMATE ANALYSIS AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF THE ROOTS EXTRACT OF JATROPHA MULTIFIDA

Joy E. Ahomafor,* Osayemwenre Erharuyi, Abiodun Falodun, Henry A. Okeri

Abstract

Oxidative stress and impaired oxidative system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many major diseases. In this study, the phytochemical screening proximate analysis and free radical scavenging activity of the ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, chloroform as well as the crude extract of the roots of Jatropha multifida were evaluated. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrate, reducing sugars, phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, saponnins and steroids. The moisture content of the crude sample was found to be 9.48 ± 1.28 while the water extractive index was 1.40 ± 0.0238. The Chloroform extract had the highest antioxidant property compared to other fractions.

Keywords: oxidative stress, Anti-oxidant activity, Phytochemical screening, Jatropha multifida.