Aliyu A.B., Ibrahim M.A., Musa A.M., Ibrahim H., Abdulkadir I.E., Oyewale A.O.
Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Kwazulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa
Aliyu, A.B., Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Ibrahim, M.A., Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Musa, A.M., Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Ibrahim, H., Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Kwazulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa; Abdulkadir, I.E., Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Oyewale, A.O., Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Antioxidant evaluation of Bauhinia rufescens used in Northern Nigerian traditional medicine, was carried out using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and reducing power assay on the methanolic extract of the leaves. The results of the DPPH scavenging activity indicate a concentration dependent antioxidant activity with no significant difference (p < 0.05) at 50, 125 and 250 μgml- 1 with those of the standard ascorbic and gallic acids. The total phenolic content was determined and found to be 68.40 ± 0.02 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and the reducing power of 0.071 ± 0.03 nm was obtained. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins and saponins whose synergistic effect may be responsible for the strong antioxidant activity. It indicates that the methanolic extract of the leave may have promising antioxidant agents and may also help in the treatment of the diseases caused by free radicals. © 2009 Academic Journals.
1,1 diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazyl; ascorbic acid; Bauhinia rufescens extract; flavanoid; free radical; gallic acid; methanol; phenol; plant extract; saponin; tannin; triterpene; unclassified drug; antioxidant activity; article; Bauhinia rufescens; concentration response; controlled study; drug screening; medicinal plant; Nigeria; phytochemistry; plant leaf; traditional medicine; Bauhinia rufescens; Caesalpinioideae