Background/Aim: The medicinal plants and their derivatives have long been recognized as important sources of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. This study investigated phytochemicals, antioxidant content and in vitro DPPH free radical scavenging activities of methanolic and aqueous leaves extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus, Ipomoea asarifolia, Bauhinia rufescens, Guiera. senegalensis and Moringa oleifera.
Materials and Methods: The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis to identify the bioactive constituents in each plant. Total phenolics and proanthocyanidin contents were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu and vanillin-methanol assays while antioxidant free scavenging activity was estimated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.
Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins in all the five plants investigated. The total phenolic and proanthocyanidin contents of methanolic extracts were significantly higher (p
Key words: Antioxidants, DPPH, free radicals, medicinal plants, phytochemicals
|
