Antioxidants and vitamins content of methanol extract of <i>Piliostigma reticulatum</i> leaves

Medicinal plants play an important role in treatment of various diseases or health conditions. Piliostigma reticulatum has many medicinal applications in Northern Nigeria. The leaves are used as antimalarial, antihypertensive, diuretic, anti-cancer, to name but few. Geographical location and soil nature can lead to variations in the phytochemical and nutritional contents of any given plant. The aim of this work was to determine the antioxidant property, phytochemical and vitamin contents of P. reticulatum leaves found in Gusau, Zamfara state. Antioxidant potentials were determined using the 2,2 diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), free radical scavenging assay and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Using the two antioxidants capacity tests, antioxidant power of the extract increased with increase in concentration of the extract. The IC50 for DPPH and FRAP assays were 5.22µg/ml and2.8 µg/ml respectively. The test revealed strong presence of saponins, and glycosides (+++). The extract was rich in vitamins C, E, and A at the concentrations of µg/ml 232.03, 80.71 µg/ml and 68.05 µg/ml respectively. The results of this study revealed methanolic leaves extract of the plant to be very rich in antioxidants. Further research to ascertain the toxicity index and quantify the phytochemicals for further in cooperation into modern pharmaceuticals is recommended.