Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 4 (2025): 1514

 

Research Article

 

Phytochemical analysis and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of Clerodendrum serratum Linn. leaves and stems

 

Norhayati Yusuf1,2, Nurul Huda Abdul Wahab1,3, Maulidiani1, Lenna Marliny Mustapa1, Fauziah Abdullah4,      Yosie Andriani5 and Asnuzilawati Asari1,3*

 

1Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

2Biology Security and Sustainability Research Interest Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

3Advanced Nano Materials (ANoMA) Research Group, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

4Phytochemistry Programme, Natural Products Division, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, 52109 Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia

5Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: asnu@umt.edu.my

 

Received: 16 March 2025; Revised: 9 June 2025; Accepted: 18 June 2025; Published: 22 August 2025

 

Abstract

Clerodendrum serratum Linn. is a shrub from the Verbenaceae family with various traditional medicinal uses. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical composition and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of C. serratum leaves and stems. Methanolic crude extracts were prepared and qualitatively screened, revealing the presence of tannins, phenolics, terpenoids, steroids and flavonoids in both plant parts, while alkaloids were detected only in the leaves. Quantitative analysis showed that the total phenolic content (TPC) in leaves and stems was 4.61 ± 0.93 and 2.52 ± 0.75 mg/g.fwt, respectively, with no significant difference between them. Nevertheless, the total flavonoid content (TFC) was higher in leaves (38.77 ± 0.88 mg/g.fwt) than in stems (33.28 ± 2.49 mg/g.fwt). Additionally, non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (4.80 ± 0.04 mg/g.fwt), α-tocopherol (31.06 ± 6.88 µg/g.fwt), carotenoids (0.64 ± 0.10 mg/g.fwt) and chlorophyll (6.52 ± 0.49 mg/g.fwt) were more abundant in the leaves. The findings suggested that C. serratum possesses a rich phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties, supporting its potential application in managing oxidative stress and related diseases.

 

Keywords: Clerodendrum serratum L., phytochemical, antioxidant activity, phenolics, flavonoids

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