Abstract
Antioxidant agents of plants origin have continued to attract interest because of the potential they hold in the maintenance of human health accompany with their minimal side effects. In this study, the antioxidant activity of the crude methanolic stem bark extract of Afzelia africana was investigated using the scavenging activities on superoxide anions, 2, 2-diphenhyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Nitric Oxide (NO) and 2, 2’-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS); also the reducing power, as well as the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extract were determined. The extract exhibited scavenging activities in all radicals tested due to its high phenol and flavonoids contents. This study suggests that A. Africanais a possible source of natural radicals’ scavenger and could serve as a base for future antioxidative diseases drugs. Key words: Afzelia africana, free radicals scavenging activity, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, reducing power, crude extract.
Highlights
The physiological metabolites generated in human body include types of oxygen derivatives like superoxide anion, singlet state oxygen and hydroxyl radicals along with peroxides and transition metals have degenerative effects to living cells and DNA
Antioxidant activity of plants might be due to their phenolic compounds (Duh et al, 1999)
The percentage inhibition of lipid peroxide at the initial stage of oxidation showed antioxidant activity of 96% compared to Butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) (80%) and gallic acid (96%), and the percentage inhibition of malondialdehyde by the extract showed percentage inhibition of 99% compared to both BHT (85%) and Gallic (98%)
Summary
The physiological metabolites generated in human body include types of oxygen derivatives like superoxide anion, singlet state oxygen and hydroxyl radicals along with peroxides and transition metals have degenerative effects to living cells and DNA. Reactive oxygen species are produced through normal aerobic respiration and during inflammatory process. This phenolmenon can be increased through radiation, alcoholism, stress and consumption of nicotine (Yildrim et al, 2001). The role of these free radicals and active oxygen is becoming increasingly recognised in the pathogenesis of many human diseases, including cancer, aging and atherosclerosis (Perry et al, 2000). Antioxidants are capable of preventing oxidative processes by inhibiting the initiation or propagation of an oxidative chain reaction They are important in the prevention of many oxidative-stress related diseases (Gerber et al, 2002). Antioxidant agents of natural origin have continued to attract interests because of the potential they hold in the maintenance of human health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
