Phytochemical screening, quantitative analysis and antioxidant activity of Vitex agnus castus L. (Lamiaceae) from South-East of Morocco

This study was designed to assess the phytochemical screening of leaves and seeds of Vitex agnus castus harvested south-East of Morocco and to evaluate their potential antioxydante activity properties using 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylehydrazil radical scavenging. Methanol 80% extracts of leaves and seeds were obtained by maceration. Phytochemical screening, quantitative determination of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, Aglycones and anthocyanins contents were assessed. Antioxidant activity was tested using 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylehydrazil radical scavenging. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenes and catechic tannins in leaves and seeds, anthraquinones in seeds and saponins in leaves. Leaves and seeds showed a high content of total polyphenols (574.895 ± 4.600 mg GAE/g dried extract and 551.895 ± 2.300 mg GAE/g dried extract respectively); Total flavonoids content was high in leaves. Quantification of aglycones revealed an important amount of aglycones in leaves (0.118 ± 0.032 mg QE/g dried plant material). Thin layer chromatography revealed a wide variety of flavonoids and the presence of kaempferol in seeds. Results of the present work suggest that there is strong pharmacological potential in developing V. agnus castus as a drug to be used in antioxidant activity