Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Effect of Ethanol Leaf and Trunk Bark Extracts of Cordyla pinnata (Lepr. Ex A. Rich.) Milne-Redh. (Caesalpiniaceae)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant effect of ethanol leaf and trunk bark extracts of an African wild plant, Cordyla pinnata (Lepr. Ex A. Rich.) Milne-Redh. C. pinnata is used in Senegalese folk medicine to treat asthenia, spasm and various infections. Methods: The phytochemical investigation of the extracts was done using physico-chemical reactions while antioxidant effect was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays. Results: Tannins, flavonoids, cardiotonic heterosides and triterpenoids were present in leaf and trunk bark extracts of C. pinnata. Meanwhile, anthracenic derivatives were detected in the leaf extract of C. pinnata. In DPPH assay, IC₅₀ values of the leaf, trunk bark extracts and ascorbic acid were respectively 21.07 ± 0.11 μg/ml, 19.53 ± 0.42 μg/ml and 0.33 ± 0.11 μg/ml. In FRAP assay, the leaf and trunk bark extracts and ascorbic acid reduced significantly ferric ion. Ascorbic acid was seen to be more active in FRAP assay than the leaf and trunk bark extracts of C. pinnata. Conclusion: Ethanol leaf and trunk bark extracts of C. pinnata had revealed antioxidant activity.