Year: 2025 | Month: December | Volume: 12 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 942-950
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251294
Chemical, antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the Fern Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn ('Makungu') consumed in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo)
Snelle MIAKAYIZILA BAONDA1,2, Longin Justin Clair BONAZABA MILANDOU1, Célestine NKOUNKOU LOUMPANGOU1,2, Sévère-Grébel BABOUONGOLO1,2, Ghislain KENDE1,2, Jean Francy Istaelle KOUBAKA1
1Plant and Life Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, Marien NGOUABI University, Brazzaville-CONGO.
2Faculty of Applied Sciences, Denis SASSOU NGUESSO University, Kintélé-CONGO
Corresponding Author: Snelle MIAKAYIZILA BAONDA
ABSTRACT
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn (Dennstaedtiaceae) is a fern known as 'Makungu' in the Republic of Congo. This plant is consumed as food by the Congolese and used in traditional Congolese medicine for various ailments, including diabetes. However, its potential as a functional food remains poorly documented. This study evaluated the phytochemical, functional food, antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of Pteridium aquilinum consumed in Congo. Phytochemical screening by thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, triterpenes, saponosides and amino acids. Analysis of the fronds revealed a high crude protein content (20.33 ± 0.58) and mineral content (total ash at 9.25 ± 0.49), suggesting high nutritional potential. The phenolic compound assays showed a total polyphenol content (248.10 ± 0.03 mg EAG/g ES) and total flavonoid content (216.61 ± 0.02 mg EQ/g ES) in the hydroethanolic extract. This richness correlates with very high antioxidant activity, measured by the DPPH test, with an inhibitory concentration of 51.83 µg/mL for the hydroethanolic extract. In vivo evaluation in Wistar rats made diabetic by streptozotocin demonstrated significant antidiabetic activity. The ethyl acetate fraction of the decoction induced the greatest reduction in blood glucose levels, reaching 42.3% after 3 hours of administration. These results confirm that Pteridium aquilinum has dual potential, both as a phytotherapeutic agent for diabetes management and as a source of essential nutrients, thus justifying its status as a functional food in Congolese pharmacopoeia and culinary tradition.
Keywords: Pteridium aquilinum, antidiabetic, antioxidant, polyphenols,
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