Abstract
The stem bark of Enantia chlorantha is commonly used for the treatment of malaria and other ailments of the human body such as cough and wound. The plant had been intensely studied for its antimicrobial activities and antipyretic properties. However, the efficacy and mechanisms of action of the plant remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the various solvent extracts from stem bark of Enantia chlorantha. In vitro antioxidant activity of certain extracts of stem bark of Enantia chlorantha such as methanol extract (ME), n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, and aqueous fractions (HF, CF, EF and AF respectively) was evaluated using models of DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing property (FRAP), nitric oxide scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The inhibition of lipid oxidation, total flavonoids and phenolic contents of the extracts were also determined using spectrophotometric methods. The result revealed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents in the methanol extract followed by AF, EF and CF while HF contained the least concentration. Free radical scavenging potentials of the extracts were found to be proportional to their respective phenolic and flavonoid contents. Our results suggest that part of the mechanisms through which the plant is used in folk medicine for the treatment of stress related diseases such as malaria, and cough and wound may be through its antioxidant activity, DPPH, nitric oxide , hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities and reducing power.
Highlights
Oxidation is one of the major causes of chemical spoilage, resulting in rancidity and/or deterioration of the nutritional quality, color, flavor, texture and safety of foods [1,2]
Our results suggest that part of the mechanisms through which the plant is used in folk medicine for the treatment of stress related diseases such as malaria, and cough and wound may be through its antioxidant activity, DPPH, nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities and reducing power
The anti‐oxidant activity of methanol extract (ME), nhexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, and aqueous fractions (HF, CF, EF and AF respectively) of stem bark of E. chlorantha were measured by different methods like DPPH scavenging activity, ferric reducing property (FRAP), nitric oxide radical scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity
Summary
Oxidation is one of the major causes of chemical spoilage, resulting in rancidity and/or deterioration of the nutritional quality, color, flavor, texture and safety of foods [1,2]. It is well known that reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed in vivo, such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, are highly reactive and potentially damaging transient chemical species. The oxidative damages caused by ROS on lipids, proteins and nucleic acids may trigger various chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, cancer and aging [3,4]. Natural antioxidants are known to protect cells from damage induced by oxidative stress, which is generally considered to be a cause of aging, degenerative diseases, and cancer [9].
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