Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A (2023)

The present study is based on phytochemical screening and evaluation of the free radical scavenging activity of hydroethanolic extracts of Euphorbia hirta leaves, stems and roots, with a view to confirming or invalidating the traditional use of this plant in Côte d'Ivoire. Phytochemical sorting of secondary metabolites using color tube reactions and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) revealed polyphenols (Flavonoids, coumarins, tannins), sterols and terpenes in extracts of Euphorbia hirta leaves, stems and roots. Alkaloids were found only in the roots, and phenolic acids in the leaves and stems.
The presence of these secondary metabolites is thought to underlie the antioxidant activities observed by both qualitative (tube and TLC) and quantitative (Spectrophotometric) analysis methods towards the DPPH free radical. However, quantitative analysis by spectrophotometry showed a better antioxidant activity in leaves with an IC₅₀ = 0.06381 mg/mL compared with that observed in stems and roots with IC₅₀ of 0.08312 mg/mL and 0.26137 mg/mL respectively.