Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of extracts from Bauhinia rufescens Lam. and Physalis angulata Linn., used in the treatment of ascariasis in Chad

Tedanbé Pakeu Appolinaire^{1, 2,} , Gomoung Doloum², Koundambaye Mbaindogoum², Moné Lakassé Lamerdje², Maguirgué Kakessé², Mansour Hassane² and Nidéou Dassidi²

¹University of N’Djamena, Graduate School of Science, Technology, and Environment, Doctoral Program in Biology and Human Health, Laboratory for Research, Diagnosis, and Scientific Expertise, Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Chad

²University of Sarh, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 105, City of Sarh, Moyen Chari Province, Chad

Cite this paper:
Tedanbé Pakeu Appolinaire, Gomoung Doloum, Koundambaye Mbaindogoum, Moné Lakassé Lamerdje, Maguirgué Kakessé, Mansour Hassane and Nidéou Dassidi. Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of extracts from Bauhinia rufescens Lam. and Physalis angulata Linn., used in the treatment of ascariasis in Chad. American Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2026; 14(2):30-38. doi: 10.12691/ajmbr-14-2-2

Abstract

Ascariasis is an infection that primarily affects children living in low-income areas, particularly due to a lack of sanitation facilities, high medication costs, and sociocultural practices. The objective of this study was to identify the phytochemical families and evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of Physalis angulata and Bauhinia rufescens. The phytochemical analysis revealed a wide variety of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins). The total polyphenol content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Inhibitory activity was determined using a colorimetric method. The highest levels were observed for total polyphenols, at 76.51 ± 0.36 mgEqAG/gDM (milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry matter) in the methanol extract, followed by alkaloids, 68.35 ± 0.41 mgEqQui/gDM (milligrams of quinine per gram of dry matter) for B. rufescens leaves, and 72.52 ± 0.22 mgEqAG/gDM and 68.35 ± 0.41 mgEqQui/gDM, for total polyphenols and alkaloids, respectively, in P. angulata. The leaves of B. rufescens exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity, indicating concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with inhibition rates of 79.65% for the methanolic extract (ME), 62.05% for the aqueous extract (AE), and 32.89% for the hexane extract (HE). A dose-dependent effect was observed for BHT, with concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 μg/mL in the ABTS·+ assay. Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) scavenged 90.25% of hydroxyl radicals at a maximum concentration of 250 µg/mL. Furthermore, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA) testing showed that the methanolic extract was most effective at reducing ferric ions to ferrous ions. This study highlights the potential of oxidative activity as a natural source of bioactive molecules that may contribute to the treatment of parasitic infections.

Keywords:
medicinal plants geohelminths anthelmintics parasitic infections secondary metabolites Chad

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