Phytochemical screening and evaluation of antioxidant activity of daphne gnidium in Morocco (taounate province)

This study aims to investigate the biological properties of Daphne gnidium leaf extracts obtained through different extraction methods. Specifically, it will assess how variations in extraction techniques influence the chemical composition and potential pharmacological activities of the resulting extracts. By analyzing antioxidant, effects, the research seeks to provide deeper insight into the therapeutic potential of this plant species and identify the most efficient extraction approach for maximizing its bioactive compounds. Three types of extracts methanolic, hexanoic, and ethyl acetate were prepared using Soxhlet and sonication techniques, alongside an aqueous extract, to enable a comparative analysis of the extraction efficiency. Quantitative colorimetric analyses revealed a high content of total flavonoids and phenolic compounds across all extracts. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, demonstrating notable efficacy for all samples. The results indicated that antioxidant potential varied depending on the extraction method and solvent. For Soxhlet extraction, the methanolic extract exhibited stronger activity (IC₅₀ = 0.51 ± 0.005 mg/mL) than the ethyl acetate extract (IC₅₀ = 1.06 ± 0.001 mg/mL). In contrast, for sonication, the ethyl acetate extract showed superior antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ = 0.44 ± 0.001 mg/mL) compared to the methanolic extract (IC₅₀ = 1.8 ± 0.005 mg/mL). These findings highlight the influence of extraction technique and solvent choice on the phytochemical yield and biological activity of Daphne Gnidium.