Biotechnology Journal International

Aim: To investigate the antioxidant property as well as the phenolic and flavonoid content of Anthocleista vogelii root ethanolic extract (EE) and fractions (aqueous [AF], ethyl acetate [EAF], dichloromethane [DF] and n-hexane [HF] fractions).

Study Design: Activity directed antioxidant and phenolic content investigation of A. vogelii ethanolic root extract and fractions using in vitro methods.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between June and August, 2014.

Methodology: Evaluation of antioxidant activity was conducted using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS⁺) free radical scavenging assay. The total Phenolic content and the cupric ions (Cu²⁺) reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) of the extracts was determined by spectrophotometric method.

Results: The results showed that the ethanolic extract and fractions exerted potent inhibition of DPPH and ABTS⁺ free radical scavenging activity; EAF (0.23 mg/mL) and DF (1.41 mg/mL) being the most potent respectively. EAF (91.14 mg ascorbic acid equivalent per gram of extract) also exerted a higher CUPRAC when compared with the other extracts. Total Phenol and flavonoid was also present in the ethanolic extract and fractions; DF having the highest content 59.89 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and 67.20 mg quercetin equivalents/g extract respectively.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that A. vogelii ethanolic root extract and fractions have antioxidant potentials and it may be used for the treatment of oxidative stress related diseases including diabetes mellitus.