Phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of extracts from the leaves of Chromolaena odorata

Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Chromolaena odorata were screened for phytochemical constituents. The evaluation of the antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract was also carried out. Tests for tannins, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were positive in both methanolic and aqueous extracts. Alkaloids were detected only in the methanolic extract. The total phenolic content, reducing power and percent DPPH scavenging effect were 0.01 +/- 0.00 mg/g GAE, 0.22 +/- 0.01 and 28.85 +/- 0.99%, respectively. Against the backdrop of many known medicinal properties of this plant, results from the present work suggest that relatively low values of antioxidant indices may not imply a low medicinal value.