Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF TECOMA STANS, GLYPHAEA BREVIS, GARCINIA KOLA, ZANTHOXYLUM MACROPHYLLA AND GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM ROOT BARK

Chinaka N.C.*, Monago-Ighorodje C.C., Chuku L.C., Nzom U.G., Ohagwu U.S., Okparoka C.C.

Abstract

Background: The in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of Tecoma stans (TS), Glyphaea brevis (GB), Garcinia kola (GK), Zanthoxylum macrophylla (ZM) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) root bark were assayed by measuring the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion (O2 .-) radical and nitric oxide (NO.) radical scavenging capabilities of the extracts. Materials and Methods: The plants obtained from Nsukka, Nigeria, were identified and analysed using standard reagent and equipments. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20.0 and significant level was set at P

Keywords: Ascorbic acid, ?-tocopherol, antioxidant, free radicals, scavenging.