Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF NAUCLEA LATIFOLIA ROOT SMITH. (RUBIACEAE)

Chigozie Celestina Ezeagha, Onumsinachukwu Consolata Orji, Jacinta Ogechukwu Ogbuebuna, Amara Nwanyioma Anozie and Chinenye Henrietta Nedum*

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Abstract

Nauclea latifolia is a valuable medicinal plant used in therapeutic management of different ailments. Various studies have been done to identify antioxidants from plant sources and efforts have been taken to integrate it in conventional therapy. This study describes the phytochemical analysis and antioxidant properties of the root of N. latifolia. Collected root samples were washed and air-dried to constant weight; pulverized and extracted via cold maceration with methanol. The methanol crude extract was fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fractions. Phytochemical analyses and antioxidant activity of the methanol extract / fractions were assessed using DPPH free scavenging method. Four different fractions were obtained from the methanol (crude) extract. The phytochemical screening conducted showed the presence or absence of certain phytochemicals. The methanol (crude) extract and the different fractions had good antioxidant properties. N. latifolia root possesses phytochemicals and antioxidant effect as seen in this study.

Keywords: Nauclea latifolia, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhyrazyl (DPPH), Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, Free radicals.