Phytochemical characterisation of two plants with antisickling properties: Azadirachta indica A Juss and Helianthus annuus L.

Phytochemicals in plant extracts possess therapeutic properties and are widely practiced by traditional healers. In this study, we evaluated the antisickling activities of Azadirachta indica and Helianthus annuus L. using both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. When compared with the findings from earlier studies on plants with antisickling potentials, it is suggested that the phytochemical profiles of these species may account for their antisickling activities. The aim of the present work was to investigate the phytochemical composition of leaf, seed, and stem extracts of Azadirachta indica and Helianthus annuus L. Extracts were prepared using ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether in a Soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemicals were identified following standard phytochemical protocols. The analysis revealed that saponins, reducing sugars, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and anthraquinones were present in both plants, while terpenoids and cardiac glycosides were absent in some parts of each plant. Quantitative evaluation using Folin–Ciocalteu’s reagent confirmed the presence of total phenolic compounds in leaf, seed, and stem extracts. The bioactive compounds—such as phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins—are likely responsible for the medicinal value of Azadirachta indica and Helianthus annuus, thereby supporting their widespread uses in traditional medicine. Furthermore, their presence has been directly linked to the antisickling properties reported by several authorities.