International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

ISSN 2169-303X

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (12), pp. 001-004, December, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro assessment of antioxidant activity of Newbouldia laevis

O. E. Ogunlana* and O. O. Ogunlana

Department of Biological Science, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Kilometer 10, Idi Iroko road, Canaan land, Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria.

Accepted 27 August, 2019

Abstract

Poverty, drug resistance and other factors including increasing difficulty in the control of mosquitoes (the vector of the causative organism of malaria), have led to a growing interest in phytochemical research. The antioxidant activity of Newbouldia laevis stem bark was investigated. Air dried stem bark of N. laevis was powdered and extracted with 95 % v/v methanol by maceration, and the extract concentrated at 40oC using rotary evaporator. The total phenolic composition of methanolic extract of air dried stem bark was estimated using spectrophotometric method. Antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated on the basis of its ability to prevent the oxidation of - carotene and the strength of its ferric reducing capacity also determined. Phenolic composition was calculated to be approximately 35%. Plant extract showed concentration - dependent antioxidant activity and ferric reducing power. Plant extract achieved a maximum antioxidant activity of 4% within 40 min. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and reducing power of the extract had direct relationship.

Key words: Newbouldia laevis,-carotene, phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, reducing power.