Invitro antilipid peroxidation and ferric reducingantioxidant power of methanolic stem bark lonchocarpus eriocalyx

Abstract

Free radicals are species characterized by unpaired electrons and reactive in nature. These Species mainly include two broad classes; reactive oxygen (ROS) species and reactive Nitrogen species (RNS). Under normal condition they have beneficial role that involves cell Signaling and beneficial oxidation that generates energy. However, under low levels of Antioxidants or relapse in the antioxidant defense system free radicals are over produced and They surpass the antioxidant levels. This increase in the free radicals mainly ROS results into Oxidation reactions that cause deleterious damages on the cell membrane and even may result Into cell death. One of this oxidation reactions is the lipid peroxidation in which the lipids are Oxidized by the attack of reactive oxygen species that interferes with the cell membrane Functions. The free radicals have as well been linked to the genesis of various disorders and Diseases. The control of these deleterious effects involves eradication of the free radicals. Antioxidants are used to scavenger these free radicals and the antioxidants of synthetic nature Have been in use for many years. However, these gents have been associated with side effects And are expensive. Plants are alternative source of natural antioxidants that are safe and at the Same time potent. In this study the anti-lipid peroxidation activity and the ferric reducing Antioxidant power of the methanolic stem bark extract of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx was Investigated. The anti-lipid peroxidation was assayed by determining the thiobarbituric Reactive substances (TBARS) while the reducing power was determined by the ferric Reducing antioxidant power method. In this study L-ascorbic acid was used as the standard Antioxidant in both assays. The ferric reducing power results showed that the extract recorded A dose dependent reducing power which increased with increase in the concentration. At Concentrations 3.125 mg/ml and 1.5625 mg/ml no significant difference in the percentage Reducing power was noted (p>0.05). However, at the rest of the concentrations of the extract Significant difference was noted in the percentage reducing power recorded (p<0.05). Similarly, for the L-ascorbic acid, significant difference in the percentage reducing power Was noted at 6.25 mg/ml. However, at the other all concentration no significant difference Was noted between them (p>0.05). At all concentration levels, L-ascorbic acid recorded Significantly higher reducing power percentage as compared to the extract (p<0.05). The Methanolic root extract of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx and L-ascorbic acid recorded EC50 values Of 0.36937 mg/ml and 0.26188 mg/ml respectively. The results for lipid peroxidation Inhibition showed that at concentrations 12.5 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml and 3.125 mg/ml and 1.5625mg/ml no significant difference in percentage inhibition was recorded for both the Extract and the standard (p>0.05). However, significant difference was noted at Concentrations 0.3906 mg/ml and 0.7813 mg/ml for both extract and the standard (p<0.05). The comparison of the peroxidation inhibition activity of the extract to that of standard Showed that no significant difference was noted at concentration of 12.5 mg/ml (p>0.05). However, at all other concentrations the standard (L-Ascorbic acid) recorded significantly Higher percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation(p<0.05). In conclusion the methanolic stem Bark extract of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx it’s a potential antioxidant agent with free radical Scavenging properties