Vol. 16(10), pp.

288-299, October, 2022

DOI: 10.5897/JMPR2022.7258
Article Number: 67E640969825
ISSN 1996-0875
Copyright ©2022 Journal of Medicinal Plants
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR
Research

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnobotanical study, phytochemical composition and

in vitro antioxidant activity of the methanol extracts of
thirty-two medicinal plants from Southern Nigeria
Ibanga O. Isaac1,2,4*, Usoro M. Etesin1, Elijah J. Nya3, Emmanuel J. Ukpong1,
Ufikairom G. Isotuk1 and Udo J. Ibok1
1
Department of Chemistry, Akwa-Ibom State University, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.
2
H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences,
University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
3
Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Akwa-Ibom State University, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.
4
Department of Chemical Sciences, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Received 13 July, 2022; Accepted 6 October, 2022

The prevalent disease conditions globally, the detrimental effects, and the resistance of microorganisms
to synthetic drugs are really worrisome. Measures to checkmate these situations include researches on
the role of medicinal plants in health care delivery. This study is aimed at assessing the antioxidant
activities of some medicinal plants normally used for the treatment of various ailments in southern
Nigeria and searching for new sources of environmentally benign antioxidants. Thirty-eight medicinal
plant extracts were screened for phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant properties by the diphenyl-1-
picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, and ferric-reducing power assays. The leaf extract of Chrysophyllum
albidum exhibited the highest total phenolics of 348.98±0.941 mgGAE/g, while the lowest concentration
was obtained in the fruit exocarp extract of Persea Americana (19.00±1.191 mgGAE/g). The highest and
the lowest total flavonoids were observed in the leaf extract of Icacina trichanta (109.59±0.481 mgCE/g)
and the seed extract of Persea Americana (1.46±0.000 mgCE/g). Total flavonols were highest in the
whole-plant extract of Cleome ciliata (933.90±0.186 mgQUE/g) and lowest in the root extract of
Combretum racemosum (63.97±0.121 mgQUE/g). Nine extracts gave the best antioxidant scavenging
activity with a percentage DPPH ˃70.00% and an IC50 ˂0.5000 mg/ml. These results suggest that some
medicinal plants in southern Nigeria have strong antioxidant scavenging abilities. Further investigation
to determine the antioxidant activity of the nine active extracts by in vivo methods, as well as isolation
and characterization of these active antioxidant compounds, may enhance the development of new
drugs for the treatment of oxidative-stress-related illnesses.

Key words: Thirty-eight plant extracts; total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, and antioxidant activity.

INTRODUCTION

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in various provide extensive lists of plant species, with indications of
regions of Nigeria has been considered by several their various parts and how they are used by folks for the
authors (Ajibesin et al., 2008; Adebayo and Krettli, 2011; treatment of different ailments. However, few reports
Kankara et al., 2015; Mowobi et al., 2016; Odoh et al., exist on the extensive studies of the effects of extracts of
2018; Segun et al., 2018). Some of these studies only these medicinal plants on various microorganisms and
 Isaac et al. 289

endogenous factors such as superoxide anion radical, living things for the production of energy (Wu et al.,
hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide radical, nitric oxide 2014). This reaction results in the formation of reactive
radical, singlet oxygen, etc, that are the major causes of oxygen species such as free radicals in the human body,
oxidative stress in humans and other organisms. which are removed by antioxidant defenses. If these free
Antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, and antiviral activities of radicals are allowed to remain in the body and their
methanol extract of medicinal plants used by community concentrations are over physiological limits, it will lead to
dwellers in the Western region of Nigeria for treatment of damage to the body (Liu and Jiang, 2012). Free radicals
various diseases have been reported (Ogbole et al., are usually unstable, highly reactive species that lose an
2018). electron as a result of this activity and result in a
It is therefore not surprising that the use of these dangerous chain reaction called free radical damage.
medicinal plants is still limited to the rural communities Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely believed to be
because extensive research into the phytochemical involved in the etiology of many diseases including
profile, dosage, and synergistic effect of the mixture of inflammation usually indicated by the signs of oxidative
different medicinal plants extracts on some micro- stress seen in those diseases (Battu et al., 2011). Other
organisms and reduction in the incidents of oxidative- chronic diseases associated with ROS include cancer,
stress related diseases due to beneficial health diabetes, aging, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart
functionality of phenolic antioxidants present in various attack (Basma et al., 2011; Perumal et al., 2012).
parts of these medicinal plants have not yet been Traditionally, medicinal plants are used for the
thoroughly investigated. Minerals and anti-minerals treatment of more than one disease. They may possess
components in Gongronema latifolium (utasi) leaf have very high bioactivity against common targets. Therefore,
been reported (Etesin et al., 2018). The Southern region the antioxidant property has significance because it can
of Nigeria is endowed with various medicinal plants target ROS implicated in many disease conditions
whose medicinal efficacy needs to be properly (Mayakkrishnan et al., 2012). In view of the prevailing
established. Coronavirus pandemic and the historical Spanish flu of
Some plants have been used for the treatment of 1918 that killed millions of people globally as well as
practically all types of illnesses ranging from infectious other global health-related issues, it is therefore of
agents such as bacteria, fungi and viruses to metabolic immense scientific interest to explore and exploit the
and neurological disorders etc., as well as primary health potentials of the available medicinal plants in our
sources of chemical diversity for biologically active communities with the aim of finding remedies to these
molecules that enhance pharmaceutical discovery over global health pandemics and proposing solutions to
the past several decades (Bernstein et al., 2018; future challenges in the global health care delivery. The
Kandanur et al., 2019). In fact, many of the initial drugs present study has therefore been carried out to
developed in modern western medicine were inspired by investigate the phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant
natural plant products. For example, one of the first plant- potentials of the methanol extracts of some selected
inspired pharmaceuticals, aspirin, the semi-synthetic medicinal plants commonly used in our local community
acetylsalicylate, is based on the naturally occurring to manage various diseases.
salicyclic acid found in willow bark and used traditionally
for the treatment of fever and pain (Taylor et al., 2001).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Inflammation which can be acute or chronic is a
physiological response that can be induced by various Field survey, plant collection, and identification
stimuli such as microbial infection (pathogenic) and
mechanical (physical) or chemical tissue damage which The ethno-botanical survey was carried out in Oct to Dec. 2018,
normally acts as a defense mechanism by signaling and Jan. 2019 in selected Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom
proteins at the site of infected tissues or cells (Choudhari State, Nigeria (Abak, Etinan, Mkpat Enin, Nsit Ibom, and Uyo local
et al., 2013; Pompermaier et al., 2018). Chronic government areas). The pieces of information collected on various
inflammation results in disorders such as arthritis, data such as local names, plant parts used, ailments treated,
therapeutic effect, methods of administration, methods of
asthma, colitis, dermatitis, and even neuro-degenerative preparation of the plant parts used, duration of treatment, and
diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease doses, were obtained through personal interactions with the
(Medzhitov, 2008). Nevertheless, when it exhibits traditional medical practitioners, village heads, community elders,
fulminant or becomes chronic, therapeutic measures are patients, and youths. Information was collected based on the list of
often necessary (Freissmuth et al., 2012). surveys (Sofowora, 2012). In the process, the plant materials used
for various therapeutic purposes gathered from the users were
Oxidation is an essentially biological process for many

*Corresponding author. E-mail: ibekaunderscoreisaac@yahoo.com or ibangaisaac@aksu.edu.ng.

Author(s) agree that this article remain permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License 4.0 International License
290 J. Med. Plants Res.

collected, identified, and authenticated by the use of the flora of up to 10 ml with distilled water and mixed thoroughly. The mixture
Nigeria and West Africa, a guide to the identification of some arable was allowed to stand for 2.5 h at 20°C. The absorbance of the
land weeds of West Africa and the use of other publications on yellowish color mixture was measured at 440 nm after 2.5 h. The
medicinal plants and weeds (Keay et al., 1964; Hutchinson and extract samples were evaluated in triplicate at a final concentration
Dalziel, 1968; Unamma, 1988; Akobundu and Agyakwa, 1989; of 1 mg/ml. The flavonol content was calculated as milligrams of
Etukudo, 2003; Ajibesin et al., 2008; Iwu, 2014). The voucher quercetin equivalent per gram of dry weight of extract (mg QUE/g)
specimens were subsequently preserved and stored in the using the following equation based on the calibration curve:
herbarium of the Natural Products Chemistry (NPH) unit of the
Department of Chemistry, Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria. The Y = 0.684X + 0.1013; r2 = 0.9858.
different plants' parts for analysis were collected in the field for
laboratory analysis between November 2018 and Jan. 2019. Total flavonols = QUE×V/m,

where QUE is the quercetin equivalent (mg/ml) established from the

Preparation and extraction of plant materials calibration curve; V is the volume of extract (ml) and m is the weight
(g) of the pure plant extract.
Fresh leaves of each medicinal plant were shade dried at ambient
temperature, while the seeds, fruits, stem bark, and roots were
oven-dried at 60°C and pulverized. The dried powdered specimen 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging
of each plant part was extracted with methanol following the assay
procedure described elsewhere (Ogbole et al., 2018). The dried
crude extracts were kept in a refrigerator until needed. Although the The radical scavenging of the extracts was measured based on the
traditional users of these medicinal plants prefer water as the method described elsewhere (Basma et al., 2011; Adaramoye and
solvent for the preparation of medicinal plant extracts to other Akanni, 2016) using the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
solvents, the choice of methanol in this research was based on the (DPPH). Ascorbic acid and Catechin were used as references. The
reasons provided in the literature of Ogbole et al., (2018). Among ability to scavenge DPPH radical was calculated by the following
the reasons include but are not limited to the following equation:
amphiphilicity of methanol and its ability to dissolve a wide range of
compounds than water, including polar and to a large extent some DPPH radical scavenging activity (%) = [(Abs control – Abs
non-polar compounds. Also, methanol is volatile and evaporates sample)]/(Abs control)] × 100
easily in order to separate it from the extract compared to water.
where Abs control is the absorbance of DPPH radical + methanol;
Determination of total phenolic content (TPC) Abs sample is the absorbance of DPPH radical + sample
extract/standard.
The total phenolic contents in the methanol extracts were
determined using the method of Adaramoye and Akanni (2016) and
were expressed as gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity
(mg GAE/g) of extracts. The total phenolic content in the extract
was calculated using this formula: Total phenolic content = The NO was generated by sodium nitroprusside and the quantity
GAE×V/m, where GAE is the gallic acid equivalence (mg/ml) was determined using the Griess reagent (Perumal et al., 2012). 2
determined from the calibration curve (Y = 0.1209X + 0.0456; r2 = ml of 10 mM sodium nitroprusside dissolved in 0.5 ml phosphate
0.9497); V is the volume of extract (ml) and m is the weight (g) of buffer saline (pH 7.4) was mixed with 0.5 ml of the extract and
the pure plant extract. standard at various concentrations (0.2 – 0.8 mg/ml). The mixture
was incubated at 25°C for 150 min. After incubation, 0.5 ml of the
incubated solution was withdrawn and mixed with Griess reagent as
Determination of total flavonoid content (TFC) follows: 1.0 ml sulfanilic acid reagent (0.33 g/100 ml glacial acetic
acid) at room temperature for 5 min, followed by the addition of 1
The aluminium trichloride colorimetric method (Basma et al., 2011) ml naphthyl ethylenediamine dichloride (NED) (0.1% w/v). The
was used in the determination of total flavonoid content in the mixture was again incubated at ambient temperature for 30 min.
methanolic plant extracts. Total flavonoid compounds in the plant The pink chromophore generated during diazotization of nitrite ions
extracts were calculated using the following formula: with sulphanilamide and subsequent coupling with NED was
measured spectrophotometrically at 540 nm against a blank
Total flavonoid content = CE×V/m, (Perumal et al., 2012). Ascorbic acid and catechin were used as
standard references. The ability to scavenge NO radical was
where CE is the catechol equivalent (mg/ml) of catechin solution calculated using the following equation:
established from the calibration curve (Y = 0.77X + 0.0185; r2 =
0.9602), V is the volume of extract (ml) and m is the weight (g) of Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (%) = [(Abs control – Abs
the pure plant extract and the results were expressed as milligrams sample)] / (Abs control)] × 100,
of catechol equivalent per gram of dry weight of extracts (mg CE/g).
The data were recorded as mean ± SD for three replicates samples. where Abs control is the absorbance of NO radical and Abs sample
is the absorbance of NO radical + sample extract/standard.

Determination of total flavonols (TF)

Ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) assay
The procedure reported by Kumaran and Karunakaran (2007) with
slight changes was adopted to estimate the total flavonols in the The methods reported in the literature (Jimoh et al., 2010; Chaves
methanol extracts of the medicinal plants. 2.0 ml of 5 g/250 ml AlCl3 et al., 2020) were adopted for the FRAP assay with slight
ethanol solution and 3.0 ml (12.5 g/250 ml) sodium acetate solution modifications. The stock solutions included 300 mM sodium acetate
were added to 1.0 ml of sample (standard). The solution was made trihydrate buffer (3.1 g C2H3NaO2.3H2O and 16 ml glacial acetic
 Isaac et al. 291

acid, C2H4O2), pH 3.6, 10 mM TPTZ (2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine) Total phenolic content

solution in 40 mM HCl, and 20 mM FeCl3.6H2O solution. The fresh
working solution was prepared by mixing 25 ml acetate buffer, 2.5
ml TPTZ, and 2.5 ml FeCl3.6H2O. The temperature of the solution
The total phenolic contents of the methanol extracts of
was increased to 37°C before use. Plant extracts (150 µl) were the selected medicinal plants are reported as gallic acid
allowed to react with 2850 µl of the FRAP solution for 30 min in the equivalents by reference to a standard calibration curve (
2
dark condition. The absorbance of the colored product (ferrous (Y= 0.1209 + 0.0456; r = 0.9497). The highest total
tripyridyltriazine complex) was measured spectrophotometrically at phenolic content of 348.98 ± 0.941 mg GAE/g was
593 nm. The results are expressed in µM Fe (II)/mg dry mass and obtained in the leaf extract of C. albidum G. Don. (NPH
compared with that of ascorbic acid using the following equation:
37), a sapotaceae. The consideration of the extracts from
FRAP = FE×V/m; other parts of C. albidum such as fruit exocarp (NPH 35),
fruit (NPH 36), and seed (NPH 38) revealed that the
where FE is the milligram equivalents of FeSO4, V is the volume of phenolic content varies as 156.10 ± 0.141, 65.44 ± 0.170,
the extract in µl and m is the mass of the sample in milligram. The and 60.88 ± 0.290 mg GAE/g, respectively (Table 2). The
calibration curve (Y = 0.17X + 0.283; r2 = 0.9414) was established
phenolic content in the fruit exocarp was greater than that
using various concentrations of FeSO4.
of the fruit. For plant samples in which more than one
part was collected, the total phenolics obtained are as
follows: fruit exocarp (NPH 28) of Persea americana, the
RESULTS
content was19.00±1.191 mg GAE/g and this was the
lowest phenolic content among the 32 plant samples
Ethnobotanical survey
collected. The seed extract content was 39.37 ± 0.778
The information on the plants used in the ethno-medicine mg GAE/g. The leave extract of Neptunia oleracea (NPH
among the five local government areas of Akwa Ibom 31) had a content of 27.21 ± 0.106 mg GAE/g, while that
State, namely: Abak, Etinan, Mkpat Enin, Nsit Ibom, and of the root extract (NPH 32) was 299.26 ± 0.583 mg
Uyo where the field survey was carried out is given in GAE/g.
Table 1. The various plants belonging to 22 families have
been arranged in alphabetical order of their families.
Local names are given in the Ibibio language, the Total flavonoid content
language commonly spoken by all the ethnic groups of
Akwa Ibom State. The plant parts used by the people and The total flavonoids content is reported as catechin
the various ailments treated as well as the plant parts equivalents by reference to standard curve (Y = 0.77X +
2
used in this investigation are also provided in Table 1. 0.0185; r = 0.9602). The highest flavonoid content of
109.59±0.481 mg CE/g was obtained in the leaf extract of
Icacina trichantha (NPH 26) belonging to Icacinaceae
Percentage yield and polyphenols content family. The lowest concentration of 1.46 ± 0.000 mg CE/g
was found in the seed extract of P. americana Mill of
The percentage yield, as well as total phenolics, Lauraceae family. The fruit exocarp extract of the same
flavonoids, and flavonols contents of the methanol P. americana Mill (NPH 28) contained total flavonoids of
extracts of the different medicinal plant parts, are given in 46.13 ± 0.188 mg CE/g. In other plant samples in which
table 2. different parts were examined such as C. albidum, the
flavonoid content was still highest in the leaf (leaf extract
(NPH 37) – 49.80±0.047 mg CE/g) and lowest in the
Percentage yield seed (seed extract (NPH 38) – 6.01 ± 0.001 mg CE/g).
The flavonoid content in the fruit exocarp extract (NPH
The highest yield of 39.40% was observed in the fruit 35) was 42.70 ± 0.000 mg CE/g and that of fruit extract
extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don with voucher (NPH 36) was 17.08 ± 0.054 mg CE/g. The leaf extract of
No. NPH 36. The next was the fruit extract of Massularia Combretum racemosum (NPH 16) had a content of 23.38
acuminata (NPH 34) with a yield of 35.18%. The lowest ± 0.233 mg CE/g, while the root extract of the same plant
yield of 3.08% was obtained for the root extract of (NPH 17) had a content of 9.59 ± 0.000 mg CE/g (Table
Combretum micranthum G. Don with voucher No. NPH 2). There was no significant difference between those of
17. The percentage yields for the root extracts were N. oleracea leaf (NPH 31) (3.45 ± 0.049 mg CE/g) and
generally low and fall within 3.08 and 7.26%. Those of root extract (NPH 32) of 4.48 ± 0.140 mg CE/g.
leave extracts fall within 3.92 and 16.58%. Those of the
whole-plant extracts were between 4.32 and 12.18%
yields. The yields in the seed extracts were observed to Total flavonols
be within 9.74 and 13.62% and percentage yields of
others which include fruit exocarps, tuber, whole fruit with The total flavonols content is reported as quercetin
seed and barks, etc., fall within 8.10 and 26.90% (table equivalents by reference to standard curve (Y = 0.684X +
2). 0.1013; r2 = 0.9858). The whole-plant extract of Cleome
292 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 1. Ethnobotanical information on plants used in this study.

Part ethno-botanically Voucher

Family Botanical name local name (Ibibio) Part used in this study Ailment treated
used number
Acanthaceae Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anders Mbara ekpe Root Root NPH 1 Boil, inflammatory disease
Acanthaceae Asystasia gangetica (Linn.) T. Anders Eka mmeme Stem bark Whole-plant NPH 2 Skin cancer
Acanthaceae Eramomastax polysperma (Benth.) Dandy Edem ididuot Leaves Leaves NPH 3 Internal heat, malaria
Acanthaceae Hypoestes verticillaries (Linn. F) Ayara memme Leaves Leaves NPH 4 Asthma
Acanthaceae Justicia secunda Vahl Iyip ikong Leaves Leaves NPH 5 Blood cleanser, immune booster
Agavaceae Dracaena arborea (Wild.) Link Enum. Hort Okono Root, leaves Root NPH 6 Gonorhoea, boils, burns
Amaranthaceae Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume Nkimubut Leaves Whole-plant NPH 7 Cancer
Apocynaceae Alstonia boonei De Wild. Ukpo Root, leaves Stem bark NPH 8 Asthma, malaria, stomach ache
Asteraceae Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. Adams Ndiduen inuene Leaves Leaves NPH 9 Dysentery
Asteraceae Emilia praetermissa Utimense Leaves, stem Whole-plant NPH 10 Fever, malaria
Asteraceae Mikania micrantha (L.) Kunth Nyaha udia Whole plant Whole-plant NPH 11 Fever, malaria
Asteraceae Synedrella nodiflora Gaertn Mbiod udo inyang Leaves Leaves NPH 12 Malaria, immune boaster
Ceasalpiniaceae Cassia aleta L. Adaya okon Leaves Leaves NPH 13 Malaria, ring worm
Capparidaceae Cleome ciliata Schum & Thonn Ikpat unen Leaves Whole-plant NPH 14 Stomach ache, malaria
Caricaceae Carica papaya L. Akpood/Udia edi Leaves, fruits, root, seed Unripe fruits with seeds NPH 15 Malaria, regulate blood pressure
Combretaceae Combretum racemosum Asaka Root Leaves NPH 16 Pile, cancer
Combretaceae Combretum micranthum Asaka Root Root NPH 17 Pile, cancer
Combretaceae Terminalia catappa L. Mmansang mbakara Leaves Leaves NPH 18 Malaria, fever
Compositae Vernonia conferta Benth Ikpo mfang Leaves Leaves NPH 19 Malaria, internal heat
Cucurbitaceae Lagenaria siceraria (Molina stanal) Mfang ikang Leaves Leaves NPH 20 Burns
Dioscoreaceae Diocorea villosa L. Udia adung Stem tuber Stem tuber NPH 21 Fibroid
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia heterophylla Linn. Adia ke gari Leaves whole-plant NPH 22 Purgative
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia hirta Linn. Etikene ekpo Leaves whole-plant NPH 23 Stomach ache
Euphorbiaceae Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Nnun ition Leaves Leaves NPH 24 Malaria, immune boaster
Fabaceae Mucuna sloanei Ibaba Leaves, seed Leaves NPH 25 Boils
Icacinaceae Icacina trichantha Oliv. Efik ison, okpokpo Leaves, seed Leaves NPH 26 Cough, asthma, hypertension
Lamiaceae Solenostemon monostachyus (P. Beauv.) Ntodikwot Leaves Whole-plant NPH 27 Malaria, fever
Lauraceae Persea americana Mill Eben mbakara Seed, fruit Fruit exocarp NPH 28
Lauraceae Persea americana Mill Eben mbakara Seed, fruit Seed NPH 29 Cardiovascular pains, hypertension
Loranthaceae Mistletoe Viscum album Ndoro enyong Leaves Leaves NPH 30 Cancer, high blood pressure
Mimosaceae Neptunia oleracea Lour. Afia mbabak iko Root Leaves NPH 31 Hypertension, stomach ulcer and diabetes
Mimosaceae Neptunia oleracea Lour. Afia mbabak iko Root Root NPH 32 Spleen enlargement
Moraceae Ficus exasperata Vahl. Ukwok Leaves Leaves NPH 33 Hypertension
Rubiaceae Massularia acuminata (G. Don) Okok Leaves, root, stem Fruits NPH 34 Malaria, tooth decay, internal heat
Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Udara Leaves Fruit exocarp NPH 35 Dysmenorroea
Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Udara Leaves Fruit NPH 36 Dysmenorroea
Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Udara Leaves Leaves NPH 37 Dysmenorroea
Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Udara Leaves Seed NPH 38 Dysmenorroea
Source: Authors 2022
 Isaac et al. 293

Table 2. Percentage yield and phytochemical composition of the extracts.

Voucher Total phenolic content Total flavonoids Total flavonols

Yield (%)
number (mg GAE/g) (mg CE/g) (mg QUE/g)
NPH 1 4.70 213.15±0.580 160.89±0.016 256.87±0.000
NPH 2 8.64 130.99±0.199 11.53±0.000 195.39±0.107
NPH 3 3.92 47.11±0.884 26.41±0.078 293.48±0.078
NPH 4 16.58 144.73±0.148 50.01±0.236 302.27±0.112
NPH 5 7.20 66.80±0.262 57.85±0.163 535.97±0.196
NPH 6 7.26 59.65±0.332 12.78±0.063 119.32±0.170
NPH 7 4.36 50.28±0.113 9.61±0.039 94.58±0.018
NPH 8 15.24 167.58±0.389 42.70±0.000 188.24±0.109
NPH 9 10.08 206.28±0.000 58.57±0.042 308.04±0.000
NPH 10 11.26 88.72±0.332 43.36±0.481 337.35±0.093
NPH 11 4.32 112.33±0.389 36.04±0.229 273.77±0.139
NPH 12 5.86 49.33±0.191 19.64±0.000 486.40±0.000
NPH 13 7.62 207.26±1.669 107.57±0.084 527.40±0.080
NPH 14 12.18 345.85±0.000 72.08±0.229 933.90±0.186
NPH 15 26.90 44.61±0.127 8.29±0.015 251.06±0.054
NPH 16 9.74 280.89±0.778 23.38±0.233 247.84±0.368
NPH 17 3.08 314.24±1.039 9.59±0.000 63.97±0.121
NPH 18 9.38 179.93±0.127 18.91±0.080 480.56±0.000
NPH 19 4.68 21.47±0.290 6.22±0.156 319.76±0.026
NPH 20 4.70 14.29±0.389 17.46±0.127 325.67±0.117
NPH 21 8.10 68.49±0.636 27.60±0.226 153.11±0.053
NPH 22 5.34 107.45±0.587 22.58±0.014 335.09±1.034
NPH 23 11.46 207.14±0.339 30.41±0.074 465.98±0.067
NPH 24 9.36 70.25±1.556 8.58±0.014 334.44±0.118
NPH 25 10.40 122.75±0.332 43.56±0.152 272.91±0.057
NPH 26 7.50 110.90±0.000 109.59±0.481 574.22±0.136
NPH 27 5.15 33.87±0.297 8.74±0.127 223.98±1.033
NPH 28 18.70 19.00±1.191 46.13±0.188 87.31±0.043
NPH 29 13.62 39.37±0.778 1.46±0.000 137.01±0.023
NPH 30 5.96 123.74±0.778 9.16±0.133 401.61±0.000
NPH 31 7.52 27.21±0.106 3.45±0.049 145.71±0.076
NPH 32 7.04 299.26±0.583 4.48±0.140 175.73±1.034
NPH 33 8.82 53.66±0.134 35.48±0.097 486.40±0.000
NPH 34 35.18 20.85±0.262 8.62±0.478 182.35±0.053
NPH 35 25.46 156.10±0.141 42.70±0.000 609.31±0.134
NPH 36 39.40 65.44±0.170 17.08±0.054 312.23±0.052
NPH 37 8.94 348.98±0.941 49.80±0.047 746.71±0.105
NPH 38 9.74 60.88±0.290 6.01±0.001 170.09±.745
Source: Authors 2022

ciliata (NPH 14) of Capparidaceae family had the highest fruit (NPH 36) and the seed (NPH 38) extracts were
level of flavonol (933.90 ± 0.186 mg QUE/g), while the obtained to be 312.32 ± 0.052 and 170.09 ± 0.745 mg
lowest level was obtained in the root extract (NPH 17) of QUE/g, respectively, with the highest levels among them
C. racemosum (63.97 ± 0.121 mg QUE/g) of occurring in the leaf extract (NPH 37) (746.71 ± 0.105 mg
Combretaceae family. The leaf extract of C. racemosum QUE/g) (Table 2). N. oleracea leave extract (NPH 31)
(NPH 16) had a content of 247.84 ± 0.368 mg QUE/g. had a content of 145.71 ± 0.076 mg QUE/g, while the
For other plants where many parts were analyzed, root extract (NPH 32) had a content of 175.73 ± 1.034 mg
different levels were obtained for different parts. C. QUE/g. The flavonol contents of fruit exocarp extract
albidum fruit exocarp (NPH 35) had a high level of (NPH 28) and seed extract (NPH 29) of P. americana
flavonols of 609.31 ± 0.134 mg QUE/g, while those of the were determined as 87.31 ± 0.043 and 137.01 ± 0.023
294 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 3. Antioxidant activities of the plant extracts.

Radical scavenging activities of plant extracts and standards at maximum concentration (1 mg/ml)
Voucher
DPPH scavenging NO scavenging FRAP (µM FeSO4/mg dry
number IC50 (mg/ml) IC50 (mg/ml)
activity (%) activity (%) mass)
NPH 1 75.45 0.4459 63.51 0.6158 63.53±0.595
NPH 2 46.37 0.8986 4.56 1.5135 33.09±0.623
NPH 3 16.67 1.3508 10.94 1.3839 49.41±0.000
NPH 4 51.28 0.7810 19.77 1.3300 38.97±0.212
NPH 5 23.72 1.2176 22.86 1.2229 65.74±0.624
NPH 6 21.15 1.2323 5.05 1.5109 37.06±0.000
NPH 7 17.74 1.3430 3.80 1.5177 36.62±1.873
NPH 8 59.40 0.7215 1.83 1.5294 40.74±0.220
NPH 9 73.08 0.4662 23.15 1.2276 44.32±0.283
NPH 10 31.41 1.0810 17.14 1.3474 36.18±0.000
NPH 11 39.74 1.0254 7.76 1.3651 50.29±0.000
NPH 12 17.52 1.3446 7.77 1.4939 41.47±0.000
NPH 13 73.29 0.4644 42.52 0.9242 31.76±1.248
NPH 14 98.21 0.0377 28.49 1.1941 52.94±0.000
NPH 15 15.81 1.3544 3.27 1.5208 88.29±0.078
NPH 16 80.56 0.3330 9.24 1.4848 44.12±1.248
NPH 17 90.12 0.1838 3.79 1.5178 19.85±1.873
NPH 18 63.68 0.6141 7.47 1.4960 19.66±0.354
NPH 19 7.61 1.4939 2.46 1.5262 58.68±0.624
NPH 20 5.06 1.5108 6.90 1.4992 60.44±1.872
NPH 21 24.23 1.2147 10.91 1.3842 47.21±6.863
NPH 22 38.03 1.0382 8.92 1.4860 42.35±0.000
NPH 23 73.40 0.4636 12.02 1.3781 36.62±0.624
NPH 24 24.79 1.1268 3.39 1.5203 44.12±0.000
NPH 25 43.44 0.9196 17.22 1.3469 47.76±0.160
NPH 26 39.25 1.0399 43.31 0.9189 89.12±0.000
NPH 27 11.99 1.3783 3.49 1.5203 48.97±1.872
NPH 28 6.73 1.5108 18.23 1.3402 38.86±0.052
NPH 29 13.93 1.3665 0.58 1.5364 43.24±1.248
NPH 30 43.78 0.9157 3.62 1.5195 34.61±0.288
NPH 31 9.62 1.3999 1.36 1.5323 39.71±0.000
NPH 32 85.81 0.2794 1.77 1.5295 47.21±0.624
NPH 33 18.97 1.3347 14.02 1.3662 63.09±3.120
NPH 34 7.39 1.5055 3.41 1.5200 33.53±0.000
NPH 35 55.13 0.7636 16.88 1.3487 52.00±0.000
NPH 36 23.16 1.2299 6.75 1.4998 38.38±1.872
NPH 37 98.80 0.0299 19.68 1.3303 31.76±0.000
NPH 38 21.54 1.2400 2.38 1.5269 78.73±0.280
Catechin 98.93 0.0226 - - -
Ascorbic acid 98.53 0.0329 81.38 0.3267 94.85±1.872
Source: Authors 2022

mg QUE/g, respectively. methanol extracts of the 32 plants samples, standard

catechin and ascorbic acid at 1 mg/ml, and the
corresponding IC50 values in mg/ml are presented in table
Scavenging activity of DPPH radical 3. The leaf extract of C. albidum (NPH 37) caused the
highest DPPH radical scavenging activity at 98.80%, while the
The percentage DPPH radical scavenging ability of the leaf extract of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina stanal)
 Isaac et al. 295

(NPH 20) at 1 mg/ml gave the lowest result of5.06%. The (NPH 17) of C. racemosum and C. micranthum had the
DPPH antioxidant activity of other parts of C.albidum: fruit FRAP of 44.12 ± 1.248 µM FeSO4/mg and 19.85 ± 1.873
exocarp (NPH 35), fruit (NPH 36), and seed (NPH 38) as µM FeSO4/mg, respectively. The assay for the fruit
well as catechin and ascorbic acid were 55.13, 23.16, exocarp of P. americana (NPH 28) 38.86 ± 0.188 µM
21.54, 98.93, and 98.53%, respectively. The plant parts FeSO4/mg was lower than that of its seed extract (NPH
preferred by the people of our local communities for the 29) counterpart of 43.24 ± 1.248 µM FeSO4/mg. Also, N.
treatment of various ailments appear to have high DPPH oleracea leaf extract (NPH 31) had a lower FRAP of
radical scavenging activity; this includes root extract of C. 39.71±0.000 µM FeSO4/mg than N. oleracea root (NPH
micranthum (NPH 17) 90.12%, root extract of N. oleracea 32) of 47.21 ± 0.624 µM FeSO4/mg. The four different
(NPH 32) 85.81%. The IC50 in mg/ml was found to parts of C. albidum examined gave the FRAP as follows:
decrease with increased DPPH activity. The values vary C. albidum fruit exocarp extract (NPH 35) – 52.00±0.000
from 0.0299 mg/ml for NPH 37, 0.0226 mg/ml for µM FeSO4/mg, C. albidum fruit extract (NPH 36) –
catechin, 0.0329 mg/ml for ascorbic acid and 1.5108 38.38±1.872 µM FeSO4/mg, C. albidum leaf extract (NPH
mg/ml for NPH 20. 37) – 31.76 ± 0.000 µM FeSO4/mg, and C. albidum seed
extract (NPH 37) – 78.73±0.280 µM FeSO4/mg being the
highest among the four parts investigated.
Scavenging activity of NO radical

Biological tissues generate nitric oxide (NO) by specific DISCUSSION

nitric oxide synthases, which metabolize arginine to
citrulline with the formation of NO through a five electron Phytochemicals which are non-nutritive plants' chemical
oxidative reaction (Moncada et al., 1989; Marletta, 1989; compounds with protective or disease preventive
David, 1999; Virginia et al., 2003; Ghafourifar and properties (Padayachee and Baijnath, 2020) consist of an
Cadenas, 2005; Alam et al., 2013). The NO was immeasurable wealth of chemical structures which have
generated by sodium nitroprusside and the quantity was been and will continue to be a source of new drugs
determined using the Griess reagent (Perumal et al., (Ogbole et al., 2018). Some phenolic compounds
2012). particularly polyphenols present in different parts of
The maximum percentage of NO scavenging activity at medicinal plants have been found to have antioxidant
1 mg/ml exhibited by the methanolic extracts of the 32 properties which can assist in the protection of the body
plants samples and the standard ascorbic acid, as well as from the detrimental effects and oxidative damage of free
the corresponding IC50 values (in mg/ml) are shown in radicals (Basma et al., 2011; González-Palma et al.,
table 3. The results show that the percentage of NO 2016; Chaves et al., 2020), as well as pollutants and
activity is generally low compared to the DPPH activity. toxins (Padayachee and Baijnath, 2020). The literature
The methanol extract of Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. report states that the bioactivity of polyphenols can be
Anders root (NPH 1) exhibited the highest NO radical related to their ability to chelate metals, the capability of
scavenging activity of 63.51% while that of the standard inhibiting or reducing different enzymes such as
ascorbic acid was 81.38%. The seed extract of P. cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and telomerase, and free
americana (NPH 29) gave the lowest activity of 0.58%. radical scavenging (González-Palma et al., 2016).
The IC50 (mg/ml) which also decreases with increased Isolation of pharmacologically active compounds from
percentage NO radical scavenging activity of NPH 1, these medicinal plants is a long and tedious process.
ascorbic acid, and NPH 29 were obtained to be 0.6158, Hence, the unnecessary separation procedures are
0.3267, and 1.5364 mg/ml respectively. eliminated during isolation by first carrying out the
phytochemical screening of the plant extract. This
method not only allows for localization and targeted
Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay isolation of new or useful constituents with potential
activities but also enables the recognition of known
The results of FRAP assay presented in Table 3 is metabolites in extracts or at the earliest stages of
reported as FeSO4 equivalents by reference to the separation thereby making the whole process inexpensive
standard curve (Y = 0.17X + 0.283; r2 = 0.9414). The (Perumal et al., 2012).
methanol extract of unripe fruit and seeds of Carica The methanolic extract of the 32 plant samples
papaya L. (NPH 15) had the highest FRAP assay of selected from 22 families of medicinal plants used by
88.29 ± 0.078 µM FeSO4/mg, while the leaf extract of people of Southern Nigeria for the management of
Terminalia catappa L. (NPH 18) had the lowest assay of various diseases shows varying concentrations of total
19.66 ± 0.354 µM FeSO4/mg. The standard ascorbic acid phenolics, flavonoids, and flavonols. Out of five plants
had the FRAP assay of 94.85 ± 1.872 µM FeSO4/mg. from the Acanthaceae family, only three of them have
In some plants, more than one part was examined, for high total phenolic contents in the different parts
example, the leaf extract (NPH 16) and the root extract investigated; viz root of A. montanus, whole-plant of
296 J. Med. Plants Res.

Asystasia gangetica, and leaves of Hypoestes occurred, the higher the antioxidant scavenging activity of
verticillaries. The stem bark of Alstonia boonei of the the extract. The direct relationship of high reduction of
Apocynaceae family has high phenolic contents. For DPPH to the high scavenging ability of methanol extract
the Asteraceae family, two out of four had high total of Etlingera elatior has been reported (Lachumy et al.,
phenolic contents, this includes leaves of Aspilia africana, 2010). The percentage DPPH scavenging activity and
and the whole-plant of Mikania micrantha. Other IC50 in mg/ml which is the amount of antioxidants present
medicinal plants with elevated contents of total phenols in the sample necessary to decrease the initial DPPH
were Cassia aleta leaves of Ceasalpiniaceae family, the concentration by 50% were calculated for the 32 plant
whole-plant of C. ciliata of Capparidaceae, the leaves samples. The higher the percentage of scavenging
and roots of the C. racemosum, and the leaves of T. activity, the lower the IC50 value, and the higher the
catappa, both of the Combretaceae family, whole-plants antioxidant activity (Basma et al., 2011). The percentage
of Euphorbia heterophylla and Euphorbia hirta of DPPH and NO and the IC50 values of the 38 extracts of
Euphorbiaceae family. Also, leaves of Mucuna sloanei of the plant samples under the investigation were used to
Fabaceae family, leaves of I. trichantha of Icacinaceae classify the antioxidant activities of the plant extracts into
family, leaves of Mistletoe of Loranthaceae family, the four categories: the first category, classified as low
root of N. oleracea of Mimosaceae family, and finally, fruit antioxidant activity (LAA) was those with DPPH(%) ˂
exocarp and leaves of C. albidum of Sapotaceae family 40% and IC50 ≥ 1.0000 mg/ml; the second category,
have high phenolics contents. Most plants with low total called average antioxidant activity (AAA), were those with
phenolic content have high flavonols content. DPPH(%) scavenging activity between 40 and 55% and
The emergence of renewed interest in recent years in IC50 lying between 0.9000 and 0.7700 mg/ml; the third
plant antioxidants may be attributed to some undesirable category, referred to as higher antioxidant activity (HAA),
side effects of some commercial antioxidants and the was with DPPH(%) falling within 55.1 and 69.0% and
rising incidence of chronic diseases (Basma et al., 2011; IC50 being within the range 0.7600 to 0.6000 mg/ml; and
Robbins et al., 2015). Medicinal plants provide an array the fourth category, classified as the best or highest
of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activities which antioxidant activity (BAA) had DPPH(%) ≥ 70% and IC50
are molecules that are capable of supplying free atoms to value ˂ 0.5000 mg/ml (Table 4). Nine plant extracts in
the human body thereby inhibiting free radicals that this research were classified under BAA category: root
damage cells and cause oxidative stress (Padayachee extract of A. montanus [DPPH (75.45%); IC50 (0.4459
and Baijnath, 2020). In this study, 32 medicinal plants mg/ml)], leaf extract of Aspilia africana [DPPH (73.08%);
used by natives of Southern Nigeria to manage various IC50 (0.4662 mg/ml), leaf extract of Cassia alata L. [DPPH
diseases selected from 22 families have been evaluated (73.29%); IC50 (0.4644 mg/ml)], whole-plant extract of
by various in vitro antioxidant assays to obtain new and Cleome ciliata [DPPH (98.21%); IC50 (0.0377 mg/ml)],
active antioxidant agents. The bioactive agents will be leaf extract of C. racemosum [DPPH (80.56%); IC50
isolated and characterized in the next phase of the (0.3330 mg/ml)], root extract of C. micranthum [DPPH
research. (90.12%); IC50 (0.1838 mg/ml)], whole-plant extract of E.
There are two main mechanisms of antioxidants hirta [DPPH (73.40%); IC50 (0.4636 mg/ml)], root extract
reaction in the human system: a hydrogen atom transfer of N. oleracea Lour [DPPH (85.81%); IC50 (0.2794
(HAT) and a single electron transfer (SET) (Craft et al., mg/ml)] and leaf extract of C. albidum [DPPH (98.80%);
2012; Robbins et al., 2015). If the reaction is through the IC50 (0.0299 mg/ml)] (Table 4). The antioxidant activity of
HAT, an antioxidant transfer or donates a hydrogen atom C. albidum leaf was slightly greater than that of ascorbic
to the radical and in the process quenches the radical acid [DPPH (98.53%); IC50 (0.0329 mg/ml)] and slightly
thereby forming a more stable one through resonance less than that of catechin [DPPH (98.93%); IC50 (0.0226
stabilization. On the other hand, SET is similar to mg/ml)]. Basma et al. (2011) reported a high antioxidant
classical redox reaction. If the antioxidant reaction activity of the methanol extract of the leaf of E. hirta with
proceeds through SET, an electron is transferred from a percentage DPPH of 72.96 ± 0.78% at 1 mg/ml and low
the antioxidant to quench the radical species. antioxidant activity in the flowers, roots, and stems
DPPH radical is characterized as a stable free radical by extract of the plant with scavenging activity of 52.45 ±
virtue of the delocalization of the spare electron over the 0.66, 48.59 ± 0.97, and 44.42 ± 0.94%, respectively. The
molecule as a whole so that the molecule does not result of this research corroborates the literature report.
dimerize, as would be the case with most other free The high scavenging activity of the whole plant extract of
radicals. The delocalization of electrons also gives rise to E. hirta in this study could be attributed to the leaf.
the deep violet colour (Alam et al., 2013). The reduction The high percentage DPPH and low IC50 antioxidant
capability of DPPH radicals induced by antioxidants was activity of some of the methanol extracts observed in this
determined by the decrease in its absorbance at 517 nm research may be attributed to the high value of total
(Basma et al., 2011). The reduced DPPH was pale yellow phenolics in those plants’ extract. Venkatachalam and
in colour due to the transfer of a hydrogen atom from the Muthukkrishnan (2012) and Basma et al. (2011) stated
antioxidant substrate. The more the DPPH reduction that more considerable attention is being given to phenolic
 Isaac et al. 297

Table 4. Plant groupings based on their antioxidant activity.

Plant category Biological name Plant part used Voucher number % DPPH % NO
Eramonmastax polysperma (Benth.) Leaves NPH 3 16.67 10.94
Justicia secunda Vahl Leaves NPH 5 23.72 22.86
Dracaena arborea (Wild.) Root NPH 6 21.15 5.05
Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume Whole-plant NPH 7 17.74 3.80
Emilia proetermissa Whole-plant NPH 10 31.41 17.14
Mikania micrantha (L.) Kunth Whole-plant NPH 11 39.74 7.76
Synedrella modiflora Gaertn Leave NPH 12 17.52 7.76
Carica papaya L. Unripe fruits with seeds NPH 15 15.81 3.27
Vernonia conferta Benth Leaves NPH 19 7.61 2.46
Lagenaria siceraria (Molina Stanal) Leaves NPH 20 5.06 6.90
LAA Diocorea villosa L. Stem tuber NPH 21 24.23 10.91
Euphorbia heterophylla Linn. Whole-plant NPH 22 38.03 8.92
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Leaves NPH 24 24.79 3.39
Selenostemon monostachyus (P. Beauv) Whole-plant NPH 27 11.99 3.49
Persea americana Mill Fruit exocarp NPH 28 6.73 18.23
Persea americana Mill Seed NPH 29 13.93 0.58
Neptunia oleracea Lour. Leaves NPH 31 9.62 1.36
Fiscus exasperate Vahl Leaves NPH 33 18.97 14.02
Massularia acuminate (G. Don) Fruit NPH 34 7.39 3.41
Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Fruit NPH 36 23.16 6.75
Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Seed NPH 38 21.54 2.38

Asystasia gangetica (Linn.) T. Anders Whole-plant NPH 2 46.37 4.56

Hypoestes verticilliaries (Linn. F) Leaves NPH 4 51.28 19.77
AAA Mucuna sloanei Leaves NPH 25 43.44 17.22
Icacina trichantha Oliv. Leaves NPH 26 39.25 43.31
Mistletoe Viscum album Leaves NPH 30 43.78 3.62

Alstonia boonei De Wild. Stem bark NPH 8 59.40 1.83

HAA Terminalia catappa L. Leaves NPH 18 63.68 7.47
Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Fruit exocarp NPH 35 55.13 16.88

Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anders Root NPH 1 75.45 63.51

Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. Adams Leaves NPH 9 73.08 23.15
Casia aleta L. Leaves NPH 13 73.29 42.52
Cleome ciliate Schum and Thonn Whole-plant NPH 14 98.21 28.49
BAA Combretum racemosum Leaves NPH 16 80.56 9.24
Combretum micranthum Root NPH 17 90.12 3.79
Euphorbia hirta Linn. Whole-plant NPH 23 73.40 12.02
Neptunia oleracea Lour. Root NPH 32 85.81 1.77
Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Leaves NPH 37 98.80 19.68
Source: Authors 2022

as well as their strong positive correlation with radical other hand, total flavonoids and total flavonols were
scavenging activity. found to be moderately positively correlated, [r(36) =
The variables, percentage DPPH radical scavenging 0.40, ρ ˂ 0.14 (r2 = 0.1567)] and [ r(36) = 0.41, ρ ˂ 0.11
activity and the total phenolics content were found to be (r2 = 0.1683)], respectively. This result suggests that
strongly positively correlated, r(36) = 0.99, ρ ˂ .00001 (r2 97.52% of the plant’s antioxidant activity via DPPH
= 0.9752). The result was significant at ρ ˂ 0.05. On the results from the activity of phenolic components. Also, it
298 J. Med. Plants Res.

can be inferred that the antioxidant activity is not micranthum, whole-plant extract of E. hirta, a root extract
restricted to phenolic content only. The activity may come of N. oleracea Lour and leaf extract of C. albidum
from the presence of other phytochemicals or secondary exhibited high polyhphenols content, significant
metabolites such as vitamin C, vitamin E (in particular α- antioxidant activity by DPPH scavenging activity and
tocopherol), volatile or essential oils, carotenoids, ferric reducing power assay. The use of these plants,
alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, etc., which in particularly those whose antioxidant activities are
this case contribute the remaining 2.48%. This highly reported here for the first time as a natural antioxidant
positive correlation corroborates the literature reports source could be an alternative to synthetic counterparts.
(Ebrahimzadeh et al., 2010; Yan and Asmah, 2010; C. albidum fruits should be consumed with peels to boost
Basma et al., 2011; Perumal et al., 2012; Venkatachalam their antioxidant property as the phenolic and flavonol
and Muthukrishnan, 2012; Amoussa et al., 2015). Hence, content of the exocarp is higher than that of the fruit.
our findings reveal that the antioxidant scavenging From this research, the fruit exocarp is classified under
activity of the plant extracts, particularly the nine plant the category of plants with higher antioxidant activity
extracts classified under the BAA category in this (HAA), while the fruit is classified under plants with low
research might be attributable to the phenolic compounds antioxidant activity (LAA). Further investigation to
in the plants. Previous studies also reported that the determine the antioxidant activity of the 9 medicinal
consumption of foods high in phenolic content can reduce plants by in-vivo methods, isolation, and characterization
the risk of heart diseases by slowing the progression of of active components should be considered.
atherosclerosis since they act as antioxidants (Basma et
al., 2011).
In the nitric oxide scavenging activity, the total flavonoid ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
content and percentage NO radical scavenging activity
was found to be strongly positively correlated, r(36) = We are thankful to TETfund, Nigeria for providing
1.00, ρ ˂ 0.00001 (r = 1.000). The result was significant
2
financial support of this project through TETfund
at ρ ˂ 0.05. On the other hand, the total phenolics and Institution Based Research (IBR) batch 5 of 2011-2014.
total flavonols were found to be moderately positively
correlated, [r(36) = 0.33, ρ ˂ 0.04 (r2 = 0.1116)] and [ CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
r(36) = 0.44, ρ ˂ 0.01 (r2 = 0.1954)], respectively. This
result suggests that 99.99% of the plant’s antioxidant The authors declare that there was no conflict of
activity via NO results from the activity of flavonoid interests.
content. In this investigation, the methanolic extract of the
root of A. montanus (Nees) T. Anders with the highest
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