Abstract

Shams Eldien Koko, Talib M. A., Fatima Elfatih, Eman M. Zain Alabdeen and Ahmed S. Kabbashi*

ABSTRACT

Balanites aegyptiaca has been reported to be an anti-helminthic, a purgative, febrifuge, emetic and can also cure other types of ailments like skin boils, malaria, wounds, colds, syphilis, liver and spleen disorders. Various parts of this plant have their own traditional medicinal properties. The seed is used as a febrifuge, and its oil is used to treat tumors and wounds. An aqueous extract of the bark is used in Sudanese folk medicine in the treatment of jaundice. The kernel oil exhibited anticancer activity against lung, liver, and brain carcinoma cell lines. It also has anti-mutagenic activity against Fasciola gigantica-induced mutagenicity besides anthelmintic activity against hepatic worms (Schistosoma mansoni), the aqueous leaf extract and saponins isolated from its kernel cakes have antibacterial activity. The branches are used as tooth brush. The root extracts have proved to be slightly effective against experimental malaria. The present study was conducted to investigate the in-vitro antioxidant (DPPH assay) and phytochemical screening of ethanol, Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of B. aegyptiaca (Fruits). The ethanol, Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of B. aegyptiaca (Fruits) were tested for antioxidant screening for their free radical scavenging properties using 2.2Di (4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH-assay), while propyl galate was used as standard antioxidant and phytochemical screening. The ethanol, Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of B. aegyptiaca (Fruits) antioxidant activity were (14.4 ± 0.04, 13.3 ± 0.03 and 14.2 ± 0.13 RSA %) respectively in comparison to the control of propyl galate levels (88 ± 0.07RSA %) and Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol of B. aegyptiaca (Fruits) revealed that the plant contain triterpenes, tannins, coumarins, saponins and flavonoids. Negative results were recorded for alkaloids, Sterols and glycosides, and petroleum ether of B. aegyptiaca (Fruits) revealed that the plant contain coumarins, and Sterols. Negative results were recorded for alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids triterpenes, tannins and saponins, Hence, the results obtained in the present study indicate that B. aegyptiaca have promising antioxidant indicates that the plant could be promising agent in scavenging free radicals and treating diseases related to free radical reactions.