In Silico Analysed Diabetic Drug Candidates from GC-MS Screened Phytochemicals and In-vitro Antioxidant Activity of Oldfieldia dactylophylla, A Medicinal Plant from Zambia

Oldfieldia dactylophylla (OD) is a miniature, semi-deciduous spiny shrub that grows up to 10 meters high.The root part has been used extensively in the management of abdominal pains, general body pain, Sexually transmitted diseases (STD'S), malaria, hernia, diabetes and many others.This study aimed at identifying the secondary metabolites using standard chemical tests and GC-MS phytochemical profiling as well as evaluating the total phenol, total flavonoid content and in vitro antioxidant activity of crude root extract of Oldfieldia dactylophylla.The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of the crude leaf extract showed presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, tannins, terpenoids and steroids.GC-MS phytochemical Profiling revealed putative compounds such as Neric acid, Copaene, Beta-bisbolene, Hepetanediamide, N,N'-dibenzoyloxy-and many more.The total flavonoid content was found to be 143.3667mg/L ± 0.2887, while total phenol content was found to be 53.4667mg/L ± 0.0577.The IC50 was found to be 35.71mg/L indicating that the root extract is a very effective antioxidant.The IC50 of the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid was 23.19 µg/mL.ADMET analysis and molecular docking analysis of selected phytochemicals confirmed certain molecules as promising drug candidates.However, these candidates necessitate further consideration through in vitro and in vivo studies.