Comparative Assessment of Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Potential of Azadirachta indica and Parquetina nigrescens Leaves

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of Azadirachta indica and Parquetina nigrescens leaves.

Study Design: This study was made to fit a one way Analysis of Variance.

Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out in Premedical Science Department, Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan and Pharmaceutical Laboratory of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria between January and June, 2018.

Methodology: Both plants were harvested from the botanical garden, University of Ibadan. The qualitative and quantitative analyses as well as antioxidant potential of both plants were investigated.

Results: The result of the qualitative analysis showed that both plants contained variety of phytochemicals. The quantitative analyses showed that these phytochemicals were present in different concentrations. The concentration of phytate and total phenolics were significantly higher in A. indica when compared with those of P. nigrescens respectively at P<0.05. It was also observed that A. indica had lower concentrations in alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids and tannin when compared with those of P. nigrescens respectively. Also tested were antioxidants (ascorbic acid, DPPH and FRAP). The concentration of ascorbic acid was significantly higher in A. indica when compared with that of P. nigrescens at P<0.05. α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential of A. indica and P. nigrescens was investigated respectively at different concentrations with A. indica having the higher radical scavenging potential. The scavenging potential of DPPH was found to increase with increasing concentration of the extracts.

Conclusion: Result of this study showed that both plants are rich in phytochemicals and possess antioxidant potential. Hence, they might act as prophylactic and remedy for different diseases, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, obesity, etc. Parquetina nigrescens might be more potent than Azadirachta indica in acting as a remedy for different diseases.