Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Paliasa (Kleinhovia hospita L.) Stem Bark

Paliasa (Kleinhovia hospita Linn) is a medicinal plant that may contain secondary metabolites with antioxidant potential. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate fraction of paliasa stem bark using the ABTS radical-scavenging assay. Dried stem-bark powder (300 g) was macerated with methanol, and the resulting extract was partitioned to obtain the ethyl acetate fraction. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and a terpenoid/steroid-class reaction, although the latter identification requires confirmation. The ABTS assay was performed at concentrations of 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 ppm in triplicate. Mean radical inhibition increased with concentration, from 40.374% at 20 ppm to 54.536% at 120 ppm. The reported mean IC50 value was 88.621 ppm, based on three determinations (87.486, 88.939, and 89.438 ppm). These results indicate concentration-dependent ABTS radical-scavenging activity of the ethyl acetate fraction under the tested conditions. Before publication, the ABTS measurement wavelength, reagent-preparation details, sample identity used for phytochemical screening, and fraction-yield calculation should be checked against the original laboratory records.