Antioxidant and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry characterization of methanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia

Antioxidant, phytochemical and GC-MS analyses of methanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia were determined by various methods to quantify each of the phytochemical constituent present in the sample. The quantitative phytochemical tests conducted include; alkaloids, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, flavonol and proanthocyanidin content estimation. The extract was subjected to antioxidant assay; total antioxidant, nitric oxide, DPPH radical scavenging and copper chelating properties of Alchornea cordifolia. Results: The quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the different percentages of phytoconstituents in the extract. The results showed that the saponin content in extract was found to be 19±2.5% is present in high concentration as compared to the total alkaloid content (2.5±0.5%). The phenol, flavonoid, flavonol and proanthocyanidin contents were found to be 1.5±1.0 mgGAE/g, 16±0.2 mgQE/g, 8.6± 0.3mgRE/g and 10 ± 0.6mg TAE/g respectively. The NO, DPPH scavenging and copper chelating of Alchornea cordifolia at 1 mg/ml are 52.25±4.44%, 55.7±5.62% and 33.5±0.36% respectively. GC-MS results revealed the presence of many polar and nonpolar compounds in order of decreasing abundance Vitamin E > 1,2-dimethyl-cyclooctane >campesterol>stigmasterol> 1, 4-dimethoxy-2-methyl cyclohexane >Bicycle[4.4.0]dec-2-ene-4-ol > Pregn-4-en-17,21-diol-3,20-diene-9,11-epoxy > 2, 4,6-trimethyl-octane. Alchornea cordifolia is a medicinal plant found in Africa with many polar and nonpolar compounds that contributed to its traditional uses medically. In conclusion  Alchornea cordifolia is endowed with phytochemicals of antioxidant and antiradical potentials.