Chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Alstonia boonei

Abstract

The chemical composition and some antioxidant indices of Alstonia boonei stem-bark extract were evaluated. A.
boonei was found to contain important minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were among the phytochemicals detected together
with the important vitamin, ascorbic acid. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, total
phenolic content and reducing power were 41.58 ± 1.43 %, 2.09 ± 0.04 mg/g gallic acid equivalent and 0.32 ± 0.01
respectively. Against the backdrop of the many medicinal uses of the plant, the results of the present work indicate
that phytochemicals, other than phenolics, the mineral elements and vitamin C may be the critical factors in the
medicinal effects of A. boonei.