Analysis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of Uvaria chamae roots used in traditional treatment of sickle cell in Benin

Sickle-cell anaemia is a serious hereditary disease that affects many people in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Benin. Among the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat this disease, Uvaria chamae is commonly used. The aim of the present study was to explore the chemical composition, assay the phenolic compound content and assess the free radical scavenging activity of Uvaria chamae root extracts, in order to verify their relevance in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Thus, Uvaria chamae roots were used to prepare hydro-ethanolic extracts by maceration. The main chemical groups were assessed by phytochemical sorting. Phenolic compound content and free radical scavenging activity were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and FRAP methods respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of secondary metabolite such as tannins, flavonoids, saponosides, coumarins, alkaloids, triterpenes, anthocyanins and leucoanthocyanins. Determination of phenolic compound content showed that 100 mg of hydroethanolic extract in a 50:50 v/v ratio contained 41.78±0.03 mg of total polyphenol GAE; 25.41±0.1 mg of total flavonoid QE and 72.44±0.004 mg of condensed tannin CE. In the concentration range of 0.0625 to 0.5 mg/ml, the extract showed significant antiradical activity with a percentage inhibition greater than 50% (68.32 ≤ IP % ≤ 85.37) compared to ascorbic acid (57.014 ≤ IP % ≤ 86.19) and quercetin (76.066 ≤ IP % ≤ 99.41). Using the FRAP method, the hydroethanolic extract of Uvaria chamae roots shows antiradical potential via the reduction of ferric iron to ferrous iron at 85.4 mMol EAA/g. In conclusion, this richness in phenolic compounds and the antiradical power observed confirm the therapeutic value of Uvaria chamae in traditional medicine and its potential for the development of new natural treatments for the treatment of sickle cell anaemia.