Evaluation of the in vitro Antioxidant Activities of Leaves Extracts of Persea americana and Ficus exasperata Collected from Akure, Nigeria

Aim: The study examined the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potentials of leaves extracts of Persea americana and Ficus exasperata obtained from Akure, Ondo state.

Study Design: Methanol and acetone were used as extracting solvents for the leaves samples. Test for alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycoside, tannin, saponin, vitamin C, total flavonoids, total phenolics as well as the in vitro antioxidant assays such as scavenging of DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals, chelation of ferrous ion, and inhibition of iron II (Fe2+) induced lipid peroxidation were evaluated.

Results: The acetone extract of F. exasperata has the highest alkaloids (68.60%), total phenol (5.08 mg/g), total flavonoids (4.94 mg/1 g) and vitamin C contents (22.30 mg/g). At a concentration of 2 mg/mL, the leaves extracts were able to scavenge DPPH (above 70%), chelate ferrous ion (above 70%) and inhibit the production of malondialdehyde (below 30%). However, the positive controls, Butylated hydroxyl toluene (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene) and Ethelenediaminetetraacetic acid, were more effective than the leaves extracts at similar concentration.

Conclusion: Results from this study revealed that the leaves of Persea americana and Ficus exasperata are effective in combating free radicals and their effects in vitro. It therefore supports the claims that the plants leaves are promising candidates in developing drugs for the treatment of radical associated ailments.