Effect of Anthocleista vogelii leaves on free radicals: Antioxidant studies

Abstract

In traditional medicine, numerous diseases are treated using the leaves of Anthocleista vogelii. The total phenolic content and flavonoid content (antioxidants); and the effect of leaves extracts (ethanolic extract and fractions [n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate]) of Anthocleista vogelii were determined in this study. The free radical scavenging property of the extracts were investigated using nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assays. Spectrophotometric method was used for evaluating the antioxidant property of Anthocleista vogelii leaves. In this study, the results showed that Anthocleista vogelii leaves extracts exerted antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. Total Phenol and flavonoid were present in the leaves extract. Ethyl acetate fraction exerted a more free radical scavenging effect more than other extracts of Anthocleista vogelii leaves. Ehtyl acetate fraction scavenged nitric oxide (68.19%), hydrogen peroxide (80.0%) and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (92.02%). Ethyl acetate fraction also had the highest total antioxidant capacity (70.69 mg AAE/g), phenol (55.17 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (60.23 mg QE/g) content than other extracts of Anthocleista vogelii leaves. The results from this study conclude that, Anthocleista vogelii leaves extracts (ethanolic extract and fractions [n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate]) have antioxidant activities and ethyl acetate fraction exerted more antioxidant activity.