Estimation of Phytochemical, Vitamins Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Pelargonium inquinans Leaves

Aims: To estimate the phytochemical and vitamins composition and the antioxidant activity of Pelargonium inquinans leaves. Background: Some plants that are used in the traditional setting for the management of different ailments have documented observations and scientific studies. However many other plants lack scientific reports to support their medicinal use. One of such plant is Pelargonium inquinans Ait that is traditionally used to treat headaches and flu by tribes in South Africa. Not much is known about its chemical composition. Methods: The phytochemical composition of acetone, aqueous and ethanol extract of leaves of Pelargonium inquinans as well as the vitamins A, C and E of its dried weight leaves and the antioxidant activities were evaluated using standard in vitro methods. The phytochemical composition and vitamins were determined spectrophotometrically, while the antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and phosphomolybdenum (total) antioxidant activity. Statistical analysis: The One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey test were used to determine the differences among the means of the various samples. Results: The phytochemical composition differ significantly in the various extracts. The total phenolics were higher than other phytochemicals in all the extracts used. The hydrogen peroxide and DPPH scavenging activity were very high and dose-dependent. The aqueous extract had the highest antioxidant activity at 98.4 % of control (hydrogen peroxide), while the ethanol extract had the lowest at 37.5% control (nitric oxide). Conclusion: The results supports the notion that the Geraniaceae family and Pelargonium inquinans in particular is rich in polyphenolic compounds and has good antioxidant activity.