L.O. AGBONTAEN.

This study examined the phytochemical content of Moringa oleifera leaves sold in local markets across Benin City, Edo State. Although Moringa is commonly used for food and traditional medicine, there is limited information on the quality of the leaves available to consumers in this area. Fresh samples were collected from different markets and analysed using standard qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening methods. The qualitative results showed the presence of major phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, steroids, alkaloids and phenols. Quantitative findings revealed that flavonoids were the most abundant (862.21 µg/ml), followed by cardiac glycosides (525.78 µg/ml), terpenoids (304.23 µg/ml), steroids (302.94 µg/ml) and tannins
(126.56 µg/ml). These compounds are associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and general health-promoting activities. Overall, the study shows that Moringa oleifera leaves sold in Benin City still contain valuable bioactive compounds that support their traditional use. The findings provide useful baseline data, and further research is recommended to include chromatographic profiling and safety
assessments for better quality control.

This study assessed the phytochemical constituents of Aloe barbadensis sold in Oba Market, Benin City. The aim was to identify major phytochemical groups and evaluate their levels relative to standard Aloe samples, providing data for quality control and local herbal use. Methanol extraction was used to obtain the leaf gel, which was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative results showed high levels of flavonoids (312.62 µg/mL), Terpernoids (294.60 µg/mL), moderate levels of Cardiac glycosides (151.27 µg/mL) and very low level of Steroids (40.43 µg/mL). Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, Terpenoids, Cardiac glycosides, and Steroids, while other groups such as saponins, anthraquinones, alkaloids, phenols, coumarins, and phlobatanins were absent. The results indicate that the market sample retains key bioactive compounds suitable for herbal applications, though some phenolic groups were low. These findings support the need for quality monitoring of Aloe products in local markets and provide reference data for small-scale producers.

Azadirachta indica (Dongoyaro) leaves are widely recognized in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which are largely attributed to its diverse phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity. However, limited studies have systematically correlated its phytochemical abundance with its antioxidant bioactivity to better explain its therapeutic mechanisms. This research aimed to profile the phytochemical constituents of Azadirachta indica leaves, evaluate their antioxidant properties, and determine how specific phytochemicals contribute to observed antioxidant activity. Fresh Azadirachta indica leaves were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening to determine the presence and concentrations of major secondary metabolites. Methanolic extracts were analyzed for steroids, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides (Keller–Killiani test), saponins, and terpenoids. Antioxidant activity was assessed using standard in-vitro assays, and statistical correlation was carried out to evaluate the relationship between phytochemical concentrations and antioxidant performance. Quantitative results showed high concentrations of flavonoids (862.21 µg/mL) and cardiac glycosides (527.75 µg/mL), while steroids (282.50 µg/mL) and terpenoids (305.48 µg/mL) were present in moderate amounts. Tannins (77.13 µg/mL) occurred in lower quantities. Antioxidant evaluation revealed strong free-radical scavenging activity, with inhibition values increasing proportionally with the concentration of flavonoids. Correlation analysis identified flavonoids as the major contributors to antioxidant capacity. These findings support the documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions of neem (Dongoyaro) leaves, as flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and glycosides are known to disrupt microbial membranes, modulate inflammatory pathways, and reduce oxidative stress. Overall, this study provides biochemical justification for the therapeutic relevance of Azadirachta indica leaves by establishing a clear relationship between its quantified phytochemicals and antioxidant activity