Sciences of Phytochemistry

Odangowei Inetiminebi Ogidi, Ejeomo Christopher, Happiness Adaekwu Orlu, Deghinmotei Alfred-Ugbenbo

This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of Ficus sur and Psidium guajava, two plants widely used in traditional medicine. Standard AOAC methods were employed for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. Antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. Screening revealed that both species contained tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and steroids. Quantitatively, P. guajava outperformed F. sur in total phenolics (123.79 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (95.06 mg QE/g), and alkaloids (88.91 mg AE/g). However, at 1.0 mg/mL, F. sur demonstrated greater FRAP (2.19 µmol Fe²⁺/g) and DPPH scavenging (60.21%), while P. guajava exhibited superior H₂O₂ (61.18%) and NO (70.85%) scavenging activities. L-ascorbic acid showed the highest overall activity. In conclusion, both extracts possess significant antioxidant properties, supporting their traditional uses and highlighting their potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Elodie Melro, Carolina F. Jesus, Tomás Duarte, Andreia A. S. Alves, Filipe E. Antunes, Margarida Lindo, Daniel Ribeiro

This comparative screening study investigated how solvent polarity and extraction technique influence the recovery of bioactive compounds from four Portuguese native plants: Geranium robertianum (herb Robert), Olea europaea (olive leaves), Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary) and Laurus nobilis (bay laurel). Maceration and Soxhlet extractions were performed using five solvents spanning a polarity range (methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and hexane), followed by colorimetric phytochemical screening and extraction-yield comparison; aqueous infusion and water-based Soxhlet extraction were also assessed. Among the organic solvents tested, methanol generally gave the highest extraction yields, whereas aqueous extraction showed species-dependent behavior; for example, infusion yields for olive leaves and rosemary ranged from approximately 26% to 34%, whereas water-based Soxhlet extraction of herb Robert exceeded 35%. Qualitative phytochemical assays indicated the broadest class-level detection in methanolic extracts, whereas tannins were not detected in ethanolic extracts and were only evidenced in bay laurel under less-polar conditions. GC–MS profiling of ethanolic extracts provided comparative species-dependent fingerprints dominated by fatty acid derivatives and terpenoid-related compounds within the analytical window of the method, with Soxhlet generally enhancing late-eluting hydrophobic metabolites; rosemary was enriched in phenolic diterpenes, herb Robert and olive leaves showed a stronger contribution of carbohydrate-related compounds, and bay laurel displayed a comparatively simpler lipid/terpenoid profile. These results provide a preliminary n exploratory comparative framework for future studies on extraction-condition selection basis for selecting extraction conditions according to plant matrix and analytical purpose.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Arti Juwita

Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a major role in skin aging and UV-induced damage. Natural plant-based antioxidants, such as those found in avocado (Persea americana) and green tea (Camellia sinensis), are increasingly studied for incorporation into topical cosmetic formulations. However, their combined use and comparative antioxidant evaluation in cream matrices remain insufficiently explored. Four cream formulations (F1–F4) with increasing concentrations of avocado extract (EDA) and green tea extract (EDT) were prepared using an oil-in-water emulsification method. Antioxidant activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically using three assays: DPPH (radical scavenging), FRAP (ferric reducing power), and ABTS (total antioxidant capacity). In the DPPH assay, formulation F2 showed the lowest IC50 value (336.34 ± 13.34 µg/mL), indicating the highest radical scavenging activity, while DPPH results did not follow a consistent concentration-dependent trend. In contrast, FRAP and ABTS assays demonstrated a clear dose-response relationship, with F4 showing the highest antioxidant capacity (522.08 ± 14.08 µmol Fe²⁺/g and 599.64 ± 8.94 mM TE/g, respectively). The combination of avocado and green tea extracts contributes to measurable antioxidant activity in cream formulations. These preliminary findings support multi-assay evaluation as a more comprehensive approach to antioxidant characterization. Further studies including statistical analysis, single-extract controls, and stability evaluation are necessary to confirm interaction effects and optimize formulation performance.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Chimezie Alexdaniel Chukwuemeka, Chukwudi Jude Ofoegbu, Nnaemeka Promise Amadi

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of the acetone extract of green coffee beans (Coffea excelsa) using in vitro assays. The extract was assessed for its ability to inhibit protein denaturation and stabilize biological membranes using heat-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes as a model. The extract exhibited an overall increase in inhibitory effect across the tested concentrations in both assays. In the protein denaturation assay, percentage inhibition increased from 13.10% at 100 µg/mL to 70.45% at 1000 µg/mL, with an IC₅₀ value of 249.8 µg/mL. Similarly, in the membrane stabilization assay, inhibition ranged from 21.16% to 62.06% across the same concentration range, with an IC₅₀ value of 391.6 µg/mL. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test indicated that all tested concentrations produced significant effects compared to the control (p < 0.0001). IC₅₀ values were determined using nonlinear regression analysis (n = 3). Although the extract showed lower activity compared with acetylsalicylic acid, it demonstrated moderate anti-inflammatory activity. These effects may be associated with the presence of bioactive compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids; however, this cannot be confirmed since no phytochemical analysis was conducted in this study. Overall, these results indicate that the acetone extract of green coffee beans possesses measurable anti-inflammatory properties in vitro, suggesting that it may serve as a potential source of bioactive compounds for further investigation. Further studies, including phytochemical characterization and in vivo evaluations, are required to validate these findings.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

J. Malavika, K. Thenmozhi

Symplocos obtusa Wall. Ex G. Don. (Symplocaceae) is an endemic medicinal plant whose pharmacological potential remains largely uncharacterized. This study utilized integrated in vitro and in silico methodologies to establish a comprehensive phytochemical and therapeutic profile of its ethanolic leaf extract. Initial screening revealed a significant extractive yield of 6.0%, with substantial concentrations of total phenolics (4.30 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g), tannins (2.91 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g), and flavonoids (71.15 ± 0.86 mg RE/g). Structural characterization via FTIR spectroscopy confirmed diverse functional groups, while GC-MS analysis identified 19 bioactive constituents with putative pharmacological relevance. The extract demonstrated potent antioxidant capacity across multiple benchmarks, yielding an $I{C}_{50}$ of 26.55 ± 0.61 µg/mL in DPPH assays, alongside robust activity in ABTS (27.09 ± 0.11 µmol/g) and phosphomolybdenum (51.38 ± 0.08 mg/g) evaluations. Computational in silico modeling further corroborated the safety and therapeutic viability of the identified compounds, predicting favorable drug-likeness and low toxicity profiles (Classes IV–VI). Collectively, these findings validate S. obtusa as a prolific reservoir of bioactive secondary metabolites, supporting its development as a candidate for plant-derived drug discovery and antioxidant therapy.

Sciences of Phytochemistry