A comparative assessment of the in vitro antioxidant potential of Tapinanthus preussii (African mistletoe) leaf aqueous and ethanolic extracts

Abstract

The significance of antioxidant properties in medicinal plants lies in their ability to combat detrimental free radicals, which are linked to various conditions like diabetes mellitus, cancer, atherosclerosis, and visual impairment. Tapinanthus preussii is a hemiparasitic epiphyte species of African mistletoe in the Loranthaceae family. It thrives mainly in the wet tropical biome across Southeast Nigeria to West Central Tropical Africa, showcasing diverse medicinal potentials. This study aimed to compare the total phenolic contents, flavonoid contents and various antioxidant capacities of Tapinanthus preussii crude leaf aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The choice of solvents was guided by the common practices of herbal remedy preparation in the region, ensuring the study's relevance and practical implications. The in-vitro evaluation included several electron transfer reactions (e.g. TAC, TEAC, FRAP, DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and nitric oxide radical scavenging assays). The analysis revealed significantly (p