Phytochemical screening of petroleum ether extract of Xylopia aethiopica

Abstract

Xylopiaaethiopica(Annonaceae), a plant widely utilized in West African ethnomedicine, is known for its diverse therapeutic applications, largely attributed to its major bioactive constituent, xylopic acid, alongside various secondary metabolites. This study aimed to conduct a phytochemical screening of the petroleum ether crude extract of Xylopiaaethiopica (XAE) and to identify the classes of phytochemicals present and assess their potential medicinal significance. Standard qualitative phytochemical methods were employed to test for the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, steroids, fixed oils, carbohydrates, cardenolides,
cyanogenic glycosides, and saponins. The results revealed that the crude extract contained alkaloids, phenolic compounds—including flavonoids and phlobatannins—triterpenoids, steroidsand saponins, while anthraquinones, fixed oils, carbohydrates, cardenolides, and cyanogenic glycosides were absent in the sample. These findings underscore the presence of pharmacologically active constituents in XAE preserving several of these therapeutic compounds. The presence of phenolics and flavonoids supports the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties reported in ethnopharmacological literature, while the detection of alkaloids and steroids may contribute to its
hormonal-modulatory potential. In conclusion, this study provides scientific validation for the traditional use of Xylopiaaethiopica as a key compound responsible for its biological activities, offering a basis for further biochemical and pharmacological investigations.