Phytochemical Profiling, Physicochemical Analysis, and In Vitro Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Leaf and Bark of  Syzygium cumini Linn

ABSTRACT

Syzygium cumini (L.) is a medicinal plant recognized for its rich phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties. The present study comparatively evaluated the phytochemical profile and antioxidant potential of aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of the bark and leaves of S. cumini . Extracts were assessed for qualitative phytochemical constituents, total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) scavenging activity. The ethanolic extracts were further characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, and saponins in both bark and leaf extracts. The 70% ethanolic bark extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content and demonstrated superior antioxidant activity, with maximum H ₂ O ₂ radical scavenging of 54.3%, followed by aqueous bark (25.0%), ethanolic leaf (25.0%), and aqueous leaf (15.1%) at the highest tested concentration. Similarly, DPPH radical scavenging activity increased in a concentration‐dependent manner, with ethanolic extracts consistently exhibiting greater antioxidant potential than aqueous extracts. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, aromatic, and ether functional groups characteristic of polyphenolic compounds, whereas XRD patterns indicated the predominantly amorphous nature of both ethanolic extracts. TGA demonstrated satisfactory thermal stability with distinct degradation profiles for bark and leaf extracts, supporting their suitability for processing and formulation. Overall, the findings indicate that the 70% ethanolic bark extract of S. cumini is a richer source of phenolic compounds and possesses superior in vitro antioxidant activity compared with the corresponding leaf and aqueous extracts. These results provide complementary physicochemical and antioxidant evidence supporting the potential of S. cumini as a natural source of bioactive compounds; however, further phytochemical characterization using chromatographic techniques and biological validation through cell‐based and in vivo studies are required to identify the active constituents and confirm their therapeutic potential.