Phytochemicals content, screening and antioxidant/pro-oxidant activities of Carapa procera (barks) (Meliaceae)

Total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents together with antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities of Carapa procera were investigated. The antioxidant activity of Carapa procera was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, ferric reducing/ antioxidant power (FRAP) method and 2,2′-azino bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. The study of pro-oxidant activity was based on the power producing of iron ion in the Fenton reaction . The total phenolic content (TPC) of the extract was exhibiting high value of 8.2 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/ g of dried Carapa. The study revealed a low percentage of flavonoids 0.04% in the extract and 0.24 mg of tannic acid equivalents (TAE)/g of dried Carapa for the tannin content (TC). Proanthocyanidins were less represented among the tannins 6.80% of the extract. The chromatographic fingerprints showed the presence of tannins and acid, like (+)-catechin, epicatechin , trans-4-hyroxicinnamic, 3,4-dihydroxicinnamic and acid chlorogenic . Carapa procera exhibited high antioxidant activity in the both DPPH and ABTS assays, being 10.45 mg Vitamin C equivalents/g of dried Carapa and 500 µmol Trolox/g of dried Carapa, respectively. The FRAP gave a good result 2.45 mg Vitamin C equivalents /g of dried Carapa. The pro-oxidant activity was 24.25 µg/ml of Carapa extract. The phytochemical screening was the subject of intensive investigations in order to identify the chemical constituents present in medicinal plants , such as Carapa procera and to evaluate their potential biological activities .