“Phytochemical and Antioxidant Assessment of Cissus discolor: A Comparative Study of Leaf and Stem Extracts”

Abstract

Cissus discolor Blume, a medicinal plant from the Vitaceae family, was analyzed for its phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity using different solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, petroleum ether, and aqueous). Both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were conducted, revealing the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenols, alkaloids, and other bioactive compounds. Among the extracts, the methanolic leaf extract demonstrated the highest total phenolic content (1.92 μg GAE/mg) and the strongest antioxidant activity (77.24% inhibition in the DPPH assay). The methanolic stem extract also exhibited significant phenolic content (1.54 μg GAE/mg), but overall, the leaf extracts, particularly those obtained with methanol, showed superior phytochemical richness and antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that methanol is the most effective solvent for extracting phenolic compounds, and the leaf of C. discolor holds greater potential as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, supporting its traditional medicinal applications.