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    Article

    Seasonal Variation of Phytochemicals in Four Selected Medicinal Plants

    Bonface Mwamatope1, David Tembo2★, Elizabeth Kampira3, Cecilia Maliwichi-Nyirenda4, Victoria Ndolo5★ Corresponding author

    1. 1Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, MALAWI.
    2. 2Physics and Biochemical Sciences Department, The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Blantyre, MALAWI.
    3. 3Medical Laboratory Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi., MALAWI.
    4. 4Research Support Centre, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, MALAWI.
    5. 5Department of Human Ecology, Faculty of Science, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, Blantyre, MALAWI.

    CORRESPONDENCE

    David Tembo

    Physics and Biochemical Sciences Department, The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Blantyre, MALAWI.

    dtembo@poly.ac.mw

    Received: 21-04-2021; Revised: 10-05-2021; Accepted: 01-06-2021.

    Volume 13, Issue 4 · pp. 218–226 · PUBLISHED 1 October 2021 · DOI: 10.5530/pres.13.4.14

    View on Pharmacogn. Res. original site ↗

    ABSTRACT

    Background:The study aimed at assessing total alkaloids content (TAC), total flavonoids content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and predominant individual phenolic compounds in methanol extracts of M. oleifera, S.singueana, M.azedarachleaves and stem barks ofL. discolorcollected during different seasons of the year.Materials and Methods: TPC, TFC and TAC were analyzed using the Folin Ciocalteau assay, aluminum chloride assay and bromocresol green assay, respectively. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) techniques were used to analyse AA. Phenolic compounds; Vanillic acid, (+)-catechin, quercetin, rutin, sinapic acid, 2,4-hydroxybenzoic acid and ferulic acid were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC - DAD). Results:Barks of L. discolour exhibited high levels of TPC, TFC, TAC and AA during hot-dry season (summer) as compared to S. singueana, M. oleiferaandM. azedarach leaves which showed significantly (p< 0.05) higher levels in hot-wet season (rainy). Levels of TPC, TFC and TAC were significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by seasonal variations and correlated with levels of AA. Profiles of all phenolic compounds analyzed were not similar in terms of chemical composition and concentration during different seasons. Sinapic acid and 2,4-hydroxybenzoic acid were predominant in S. singueana while sinapic acid and ferulic acid were predominant in M. oleifera. Vanillic acid and 2,4-hydroxybenzoic acid were predominant in L. discolor and M. azedarach respectively. Conclusion: The phytochemical constituents in medicinal plants are subject to seasonal variations which in turn influence the optimum season of harvesting.

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      Mwamatope, B., Tembo, D., Kampira, E., Maliwichi-Nyirenda, C., & Ndolo, V. (2021). Seasonal Variation of Phytochemicals in Four Selected Medicinal Plants. Pharmacognosy Research, 13(4), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.5530/pres.13.4.14