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.

Key words: Alstonia boonei, antioxidants, minerals, phytochemicals, medicinal effects.