A Study of the Phytochemical Constituents and the Antioxidant Effects of the Leaf and Flower of Ixora coccinea L.

Abstract

The methanol extracts of the leaf and flowers of Ixora coccinea were analyzed for their phytochemical content following standard methods. The reducing power method was used. Different concentrations of I. coccinea extract (100μg – 500μg) in 1 ml of distilled water was mixed with phosphate buffer (2.5 ml, 0.2 M, pH 6.6) and potassium ferric cyanide [K3Fe(CN)6] (2.5 ml, 1%). The mixture was incubated at 50°C for 20 min. A portion (2.5 ml) of trichloroacetic acid (10%) was added to the mixture, which was then centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 min. The phytochemical analysis of the leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins. Methanol extracts and Gallic acid showed antioxidant activity at all concentrations.