PHYSICO-CHEMICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF THE LEAVES OF Canarium schweinfurthii ENGL. (BURSERACEAE)

Abstract

African ethnomedicine makes extensive use of African elemi, also known as Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. (Burseraceae). This study examined the leaf extract's physicochemical characteristics, phytochemical components, and antioxidant capacity. According to physicochemical examination, the following parameters were all within permissible bounds: moisture content (2.60%), total ash (10.30%), water-soluble ash (2.45%), acid-insoluble ash (2.75%), alcohol extractive value (4.00%), and water extractive value (3.60%). Flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and cardiac glycosides were detected by phytochemical screening. With an IC₅₀ of 9.48 µg/mL, which was marginally lower than that of vitamin C (9.49 µg/mL), the methanol leaf extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity and a strong capacity to scavenge free radicals. These results help to standardise the pharmacognostic usage of C. schweinfurthii and validate its traditional use.