Abstract

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE ANTIOXIDANT AND PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITIES OF METHANOL EXTRACTS OF JATROPHA GOSSYPIFOLIA AND JATROPHA CURCAS LEAVES

Mgbahurike Amaka Augustina, Tasie-Amadi Ogonga and Amadi Cecilia Nwadiuto*

Abstract

Jatropha gossypifolia and Jatropha curcas are plants used in Nigeria and other parts of the world as folk medicine in the treatment §and cure of various diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the antioxidant and proteolytic activities of these plants. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, flavonoids and cardenolides (J gossypifolia) and carotenoids, alkaloids, cardenolides, saponins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids (J curcas). The most distinguished radical scavenging potential was observed for methanol extract of J curcas. The IC50 of J curcas was 173.2± 0.01μg/mL while J gossypifolia revealed an IC50 of 337.5±0.02 μg/mL. A higher milk-clotting property was observed for J curcas. The milk clotting activity was shown to be concentration dependent. The overall results suggested that the extracts J gossypifolia and J curcas could be a potential source of natural antioxidants in addition to possessing potent proteolytic properties.

Keywords: Antioxidants, proteolytic effects, methanol extract, clotting time.