Antioxidant properties, protein binding capacity and mineral contents of some plants traditionally used in the management of animal wounds

Herbal medicines are considered an intricate and integral part of humankind's knowledge systems. Time has proven their efficacy and safety for both human and animal applications. Modern science, guided by indigenous knowledge systems can further optimize the use of various herbal products. To widen the current focus on herbal medicines, a study was carried-out to determine antioxidant properties, phytochemical and mineral contents of some medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in the management of animal wounds in Zimbabwe. The studied plants were Cissus quadrangularis L, Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ExDC. and Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch. Radical scavenging activities, antioxidant properties were determined using the DPPH and the β-carotene-linoleic acid model while the total phenolic content was determined using the Folin C method, flavonoid content using the aluminium assay and mineral content was investigated using the ICP-OES method. All extracts investigated exhibited radical scavenging activities and antioxidant properties, with C. quadrangularis leaf extracts exhibiting superior activities such as radical scavenging (EC50 of 21.04 ± 3.00 μg/ml) and antioxidant properties (ORR of 0.03 ± 0.01). Variations were observed in the total phenolic, flavonoid and metal contents. C. quadrangularis leaf extracts exhibited highest amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The E. abyssinica (bark) and A. multiflorum extracts exhibited moderate (40–70%) affinity for protein binding while the rest of the extracts exhibited high affinity. Their antioxidant properties, phytochemical profile and mineral content justify applications in animal wound management and many other human and/or animal uses.