Plants either in raw form or their isolated bioactive constituents are utilized as complementary and alternative medicine in various disorders. The present study was designed to evaluate chief phytochemical constituents of various fractions of Brachychiton populneus leaves and its antioxidative aptitude against free radicals.
BMC Chemistry (2019) 13:32 Batool et al BMC Chemistry https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-019-0549-z Open Access RESEARCH ARTICLE Estimation of phytochemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant potencies of Brachychiton populneus (Schott & Endl.) R.Br Riffat Batool, Muhammad Rashid Khan*, Moniba Sajid, Saima Ali and Zartash Zahra Abstract Background: Plants either in raw form or their isolated bioactive constituents are utilized as complementary and alternative medicine in various disorders The present study was designed to evaluate chief phytochemical constituents of various fractions of Brachychiton populneus leaves and its antioxidative aptitude against free radicals Methods: Various fractions of B populneus were prepared through solvent–solvent extraction technique based on their polarity and screened for phytochemical classes, total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) and total tannin (TTC) content Antioxidant effects of the extracts were manifested by in vitro multidimensional assays i.e DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging, iron chelating, nitric oxide scavenging, β-carotene bleaching, phosphomolybdenum and reducing power assay Results: Qualitative screening of various fractions of B populneus ensured the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, triterpenoids and flavonoids Quantitative analysis revealed that aqueous fraction (BPA) showed maximum quantity of TPC and TFC followed by BPE and BPB In terms of IC50 values BPA exhibited minimum values in all the in vitro antioxidant assays However, the phytochemicals and yield did not accumulate in various fractions on polarity Conclusion: Our results indicated the presence of various polyphenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids etc The yield of various fractions and qualitative phytochemical analysis did not correlate with polarity of solvents Various antioxidant assays exhibited significant (p