Abstract

Kigelia africana, a Tropical African plant is commonly called the ‘Sausage Tree’. The fruit has been utilized as laxative, treatment for dysentery, acne, wounds and ulcers. Its powdered solution is used as disinfectant. Fruit powder or slices are used for breast firming. In Ghana the fruit, cut and boiled with peppers, is given for constipation and piles while the bark and fruit are used to heal sores and restore taste. The plant is used traditionally in disorders of male reproductive system; this may be due to the secretion of androgenic hormones found in its extract. In this study, the phytochemical screening, proximate analysis and antioxidant activity of K. africana fruit extracts were assessed with standard established protocols. The hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions were obtained and purified using column chromatography; the eluted components were analyzed using FTIR. Functional groups obtained were compared with the phytochemicals. Phytochemicals found were alkaloids (10.27 mg/100g), saponins (20.26 mg/100g diosgenin), reducing sugar (80.83 mg/100g glucose), cardiac glycosides (7.23 mg/100g digoxin), steroids (112.35 mg/100g cholesterol), tannins (133.69 mg/100g tannic acid), phenolic compounds (108.06 mg/100g gallic acid), flavonoids (96.23 mg/100g quercetin). The antioxidant effect of the three fractions tested at a concentration of 100 uL/mL in a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay yielded (46.99% inhibition) hexane (70.44% inhibition) ethyl acetate and (58.30% inhibition) butanol fraction relative to ascorbic acid (84.24% inhibition). Kigelia africana have great potential to develop lead compounds for the design and synthesis of potent drugs against diseases caused by reactive oxygen species.