Phytochemical Profiling, and Antioxidant Potentials of South African and Nigerian Loranthus micranthus Linn.: The African Mistletoe Exposé

Loranthus micranthus Linn. (Loranthaceae) is a botanically significant hemiparasite that grows on tree branches or trunks and used in traditional medicine. This study compares the antioxidant activity qualitative phytochemical screening of Nigerian South Africa Standard techniques for were deployed while thin layer chromatography (TLC) bio-autography was utilized to analyze antioxidants qualitatively. Quantitative analysis performed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) free-radical scavenging; ferric chloride reducing power. The results revealed presence flavonoids; glycosides; saponins; phenolic compounds; phlobatannins; tannins; terpenoids. As potentials four extracts—i.e., dichloromethane (NGDCM); African (SADCM); methanol (NGMeOH); (SAMeOH)—the SADCM extract had more creamy bands compared Nigerian, thus indicating potentially compounds. A better complementary potential observed extracts over their counterparts. DPPH quantitative analyses underpin exhibited greater scavenging NGDCM, but this less than gallic acid control, with highest at concentration 0.2 mg/mL 0.4 mg/mL, respectively. However, as increased from 0.6 1.0 again dominated its all analytes. half maximal inhibitory (IC50) values obtained [SADCM = 0.31 NGDCM 0.51 SAMeOH NGMeO 0.17, 1.17 BHT 1.47 Mg/mL)]. Both H2O2 Fe3+ Fe2+ reduction assays mirrored similar trend analytes except BHT, which assay 0.2–06 mg/mL. Based facts gathered, it can be inferred are chemically equivalent. support morphology taxonomical classification, notwithstanding environmental, biological, edaphic impacts experienced by each plant.