Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemical compounds in Namibian Myrothamnus flabellifolius

Abstract

The phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of the Namibian resurrection plant, Myrothamnus flabellifolius, which is traditionally used in the management and treatment of various diseases was determined. Samples were collected from Remhoogte pass, 130 km south west of Rehoboth. Solvent extraction using ethanol, methanol, water on powdered extracts (leaves and twigs) were done by soxhlet extraction and maceration. Twelve classes of phytochemicals tested positively; flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phlobatanins, tannins, polyphenols and reducing sugars in the leaves extracts. However, anthraquinones, anthranoids, iridoids, leucoanthocyanins, proteins and amino acids tested negatively in all three solvent extracts from both leaves and twigs. The quantitative antioxidant activity analysis namely; the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the solvent extracts from M. flabellifolius were also determined. The TPC and TFC ranged from 372.42±0.21 to 375.14±0.21 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 1.43±0.03 to 3.49±0.15 mg equivalents for quercetin (QE)/g respectively. The high TPC in M. flabellifolius makes it suitable for potential application as a potent natural source of antioxidants and validates the ethnobotanical uses of this plant in the traditional healing system in Namibia.