Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Stem Bark Extracts of Anthocleista nobilis
K. G. Ngwoke
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
I. A. Anusi
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
P. M. Eze *
Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
U. M. Okezie
Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
C. C. Abba
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
D. O. Abonyi
Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of extracts of Anthocleista nobilis.
Methodology: Acetone and methanol stem bark extracts of A. nobilis were investigated for their free radical scavenging activity in the presence of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) using ascorbic acid as positive control. The phytochemical evaluation of the plant extracts was carried out using standard methods.
Results: In the phytochemical screening of the plant extracts, both extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and glycosides. The acetone and methanol stem bark extracts of A. nobilis exhibited reasonable free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay with the acetone extract recording better activity. The antioxidant activity of the two extracts was however, lower than that recorded by the positive control-ascorbic acid.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the extracts of A. nobilis have potential antioxidant properties which could be exploited in medicine.
Keywords: Anthocleista nobilis, antioxidant, DPPH, phytochemical