Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of some wild edible plants locally consumed by rural communities in northern Uganda

BackgroundAcalypha rhomboidea, Asystacia gangetica, Crassocephalum sacrobasis, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Heterosis rotundifolia, Hibiscus cannabinus, Hibiscus sp., Hibiscus surratensis, Ipomoea eriocarpa, Maerua angolensis, Senna obtusifolia and Vigna membranacea are among the common wild edible plants in the Acholi sub-region, northern Uganda. This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of the plants. MethodsFresh leaves collected from each plant species were air-dried under shade. The phytochemical contents of the ethanol and petroleum ether extracts were determined using standard protocols. The antioxidant content of the methanolic extracts was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. ResultsPreliminary phytochemical analyses indicated the presence of tannins, reducing compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, flavons aglycones, flavanosides, anthracenosides, anthocyanosides, volatile oils, coumarins, steroid glycosides, sterols and triterpenes. However, the extracts did not contain any emodols and saponins. The results of the quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that the contents of different phytochemicals detected varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the selected plants. The amount of tannins in mg/g (gallic acid equivalent) of dry weight varied from 3.90 +/- 0.16 in C. ochroleuca to 10.41 +/- 0.78 in I. eriocarpa, total flavonoids in RE, mg/g dry matter from 4.07 +/- 0.11 in I. eriocarpa to 14.94 +/- 0.08 in S. obtusifolia. Total alkaloids in mg/100 g ranged from 1.59 +/- 0.30 in I. eriocarpa to 6.37 +/- 0.24 in Hibiscus sp. Total phenolic content in GAE, mg/g dry matter ranged from 13.39 +/- 0.26 in A. rhomboidea to 64.25 +/- 0.54 in I. eriocarpa. The in vitro antioxidant assays revealed substantial free radical scavenging activity in all the plants. Antioxidant activity expressed as IC50 (ppm) ranged from 13.39 for A. rhomboidea to 64.84 for I. eriocarpa, compared to 12.82 for ascorbic acid standard. The total phenolic compounds and total tannins had significant and positive correlations with DPPH free radical scavenging activity. ConclusionThe findings of this study provide evidence that the species are good natural sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants, whose regular consumption could provide human health benefits by protecting against oxidative stress related diseases. Further research is needed on the structural characterization of the phytochemicals, profiling the plant extracts with high antioxidant activity and determining the antimicrobial activities.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of common wild edible plants in northern Uganda. The results showed the presence of various phytochemicals and significant antioxidant activity in all the plants. Regular consumption of these plants could provide health benefits by protecting against oxidative stress-related diseases.