Phytochemical Screening and in Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extract of Blighia Sapida Stem Bark
Blighia sapida is a plant belonging to the family of sapindaceae. In this study we aimed to carry the phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of Blighia sapida stem bark and evaluate its in vitro antioxidant activity. It was found that the aqueous extract of Blighia sapida stem bark showed the presence of tannin, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, phenols and ascorbic acid. It also contains trace elements zinc and selenium. Furthermore it showed some scavenging activity but not as such could be compared with the various standards used except for nitric oxide scavenging activity. These are indications that the aqueous extract ofBlighia sapida contains some physiologically significant secondary metabolites and also possesses appreciable in vitro antioxidant activity.
