The Antioxidant Potentials and Phytochemical Properties of the Hexane, Ethyl acetate and Ethanolic Extracts of Securinega virosa (Euphorbiaceae) Leaves

The study was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemical properties and antioxidant potentials of hexane, ethylacetate and ethanolic leaf extracts of Securinega virosa. The phytochemical screening was carried out by standard procedures, while the antioxidant activity of the extracts were measured in terms of hydrogen donation or radical scavenging ability using the stable radical,1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and Balsams in hexane extract.Phenols, carbohydrates and Balsams in ethyl acetate extract.Tannins, saponins, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and cardenolide in ethanolic extract. The hexane, ethylacetate and ethanolic leaf extracts of Securinega virosa have very good antioxidant activities, with ethanolic extract having the best activity. The activities may be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols. The leaf extracts of Securinega virosa have high antioxidant activities, with the ethanolic extract having the greatest antioxidant activity than the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts.