Exploring Variations in Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Potential of Leaf and Stem Extracts of Bryophyllum Pinnatum
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1010-5451Keywords:
Antioxidant, Anthraquinones, Cardiac glycosides Phytochemicals, Bryophyllum pinnatumAbstract
Antioxidant capability and phytochemical components are important markers of plant extracts' potential for medicinal applications. The phytochemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) leaf and stem extracts were compared in this study using standard methods. While anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides were more prevalent in the stem, qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic chemicals in both extracts. The leaf extract had higher amounts of total flavonoids (7.14 ± 0.21 mg/g), total phenolics (18.75 ± 1.21 mg/g), and total alkaloids (1.97 ± 1.04 mg/g) than the stem extract’s 4.27 ± 0.25, 8.52 ± 1.10, and 0.91 ± 0.01 mg/g, respectively. These bioactive substances have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The higher phytochemical concentration in the leaves suggests stronger antioxidant potential, while the presence of unique compounds such as anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides in the stem highlights its additional medicinal importance. These findings support recent studies on the antioxidant properties of B. pinnatum leaves while offering more information about the stem's comparatively unexplored phytochemical profile, with a general focus on B. pinnatum as a useful natural source of bioactive chemicals.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Omowunmi Taiwo, Temitope Osobamiro, Sodiq Yussuf, Adeola Ibikunle, Nurudeen Sanyaolu, Feyisara Adaramola
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