Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research (ISSN : 0975-7384)

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Original Articles: 2014 Vol: 6 Issue: 5

A survey of the phytochemical and antioxidant potential of the fruit extracts of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) bruce (Rubiaceae).

Abstract

Antioxidants have the ability to protect organisms from damage caused by free radical-induced oxidative stress. A lot of research is being carried out worldwide directed toward finding natural antioxidants of plant origin. The antioxidant activity of the extract of S. latifolius fruit is being reported for the first time along with screening of its photochemical constituents. The antioxidant activity was tested spectrophotometrically, measuring the ability of the plant extract to scavenge a stable DPPH• free radical and reduce singlet oxygen in free hydroxyl radical. Preliminary studies showed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugars, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, terpenes and glycosides. The results of the antioxidant testing showed that the crude extracts demostrated potent scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals generated by H2O2 and DPPH• free radicals, an indication that the presence of various phyto-compounds contribute to its anti-oxidative activity. Our findings further provide evidence that S. latifolius fruit is a potential source of natural antioxidants, and thus justifies its use in folkloric medicine.