Phytochemical Screening, Evaluation and Comparative Study of the Antioxidant Activities of Leaves and Stem Bark Extracts from Anogeissus leiocarpus: A Plant Used in Traditional Medicine in Northern Ivory Coast

Abstract

Anogeissus leiocarpus is a medicinal plant from Ivory Coast. It would be traditionally used to treat several pathologies. The aim of this study was to confirm or refute the use of both leaves and stem bark in the prevention or treatment of diseases linked to oxidative stress. Phytochemical sorting in these two organs of Anogeissus leiocarpus showed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, phenolic acids, sterols and terpenes. The radical DPPH scavenging activity was carried out qualitatively and quantitatively by thin layer chromatographic (TLC) and spectroscopic methods, respectively. Quantitative analysis by spectrophotometry showed that the antioxidant power of the stem bark is slightly higher than leaves. These organs could therefore be used as good antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of diseases linked to oxidative stress. However, works on safeness should contribute to the valorisation of these materials for giving in use as herbal drug accessible to all social classes.