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Antioxidant Properties of the Methanol Extracts of the Leaves and Stems of Celtis africana

Adeolu A. Adedapo, Florence O. Jimoh, Anthony J. Afolayan and Patrick J. Masika

Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria .

Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa .

ARDRI, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa .

Abstract: The antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts from the leaves and stems of Celtis africana (Ulmaceae) were assessed in an effort to validate the medicinal potential of the subterranean part of the herb. The antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of the stem as determined by the DPPH, proanthocyanidins, total phenols, the flavonoids, and total flavonols were higher than that of the leaves. On the other hand, the FRAP contents of the leaves were higher than that of the stem. The ABTS scavenging activities of both the stem and leaves were similar and comparable to that of BHT, the standard antioxidant used. This study, has to some extent, validated the medicinal potential of the leaves and stems of Celtis africana.

Keywords: Celtis africana ; free radical scavenging activity; polyphenols; reducing capacity.