Phytochemical Characterisation, GC–MS Profiling and Comparative Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Chloroform Extracts of Senecio ludens C.B.Clarke

Abstract

The present study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential and GC–MS profiles of ethanolic (SLE) and chloroform (SLC) extracts of Senecio ludens C.B.Clarke. Plant material was extracted separately by cold maceration using ethanol and chloroform, followed by qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, antioxidant assays and GC–MS profiling. The extraction yield was higher for SLE (220.746 ± 6.815 mg g⁻¹ dry plant powder) than for SLC (120.462 ± 3.215 mg g⁻¹). SLE contained phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, proteins and carbohydrates, whereas SLC contained phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, proteins and carbohydrates; terpenoids, steroids and saponins were not detected in SLC. SLE showed higher total phenolics (538.00 ± 24.59 µg GAE mg⁻¹) and flavonoids (216.29 ± 8.82 µg QE mg⁻¹) than SLC (362.08 ± 13.18 and 85.99 ± 3.54 µg mg⁻¹, respectively). SLE also showed stronger antioxidant activity, with DPPH and ferrous-ion chelating IC₅₀ values of 98.88 ± 4.32 and 91.99 ± 3.28 µg mL⁻¹, respectively, compared with 188.29 ± 8.37 and 208.34 ± 7.94 µg mL⁻¹ for SLC. GC–MS analysis revealed distinct chemical profiles in the two extracts. Friedelan-3-one, 13-Docosenamide (Z), Glutinol, n-Hexadecanoic acid, γ-Sitosterol and Stigmasterol were among the major compounds detected in SLE, while Friedelan-3-one, 13Docosenamide (Z), Stigmasterol, γ-Sitosterol, β-Amyrone and α-Amyrin were prominent in SLC. The findings indicate that extraction solvent influenced both the chemical composition and antioxidant response of S. ludens. Qualitative screening showed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and proteins and carbohydrates. The quantified compounds were phenolics (538.00 ± 24.59 µg GAE/mg extract) in the highest amount, followed by flavonoids (216.29 ± 8.82 µg QE/mg), tannins (88.84 ± 4.50 µg TAE/mg), and alkaloids (64.12 ± 4.16 µg AE/mg). Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH radical scavenging and ferrous-ion chelating assays. The extract showed good antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 98.88 ± 4.32 µg/mL in the DPPH assay and 91.99 ± 3.28 µg/mL in the ferrousion chelating assay. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of several major compounds, including Friedelan-3-one, 13Docosenamide (Z), Glutinol, n-Hexadecanoic acid, γ-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, β-Amyrone, Palmitoleamide, Neophytadiene, and other metabolites. Several of these compound classes have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and other biological activities [10–15]. The results show that the antioxidant activity of S. ludens may be attributed to the presence of high amounts of phenolics and flavonoids and the combined effect of other bioactive components. To summarize, this study provides useful preliminary data on the phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics of S. ludens and promotes further research on its major components and biological activities.