Open AccessSeasonal Variations of Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Activity of Senna italica Leaves
Author(s) -
Sibusiso C. Mncube,
Sechene Stanley Gololo,
Motetelo Alfred Mogale
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
asian journal of chemistry/asian journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 0975-427X
pISSN - 0970-7077
DOI - 10.14233/ajchem.2020.22739
Subject(s) - phytochemical , tannin , antioxidant , chemistry , dpph , saponin , flavonoid , senna , condensed tannin , botany , traditional medicine , food science , polyphenol , biology , proanthocyanidin , biochemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Senna italica is a widely used medicinal plant well known for their laxative properties and high antioxidant activity, as well as possessionof a variety of bioactive compounds. For its optimum usage, the current study was aimed at the determination of seasonal variations in thephytochemical content and antioxidant activity of its leaves. The leaves of Senna italica were collected during each of the four seasons(autumn, winter, spring, summer) in the year 2018. Total phenolic, total tannin, total flavonoid and total saponin contents of the leaveswere determined using UV spectrophotometric method. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavengingactivity and H2O2 reducing activity assays. Total phenolic content was recorded in higher amounts during autumn; total tannin content wasin higher amounts during autumn and summer; total flavonoids were higher during autumn and summer and total saponins were higher insummer. High antioxidant activity strength demonstrated through relatively lower IC50 was shown in summer and autumn which, wasconsistent with the relative phytochemical contents. The current results suggest that the optimum period of harvest for maximum benefitregarding the antioxidant activity of Senna italica leaves is between summer and autumn and that its antioxidant activity strength isaligned to the accumulation of the antioxidant compounds.