In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Salacia lehmbachii Ethanol Root Bark Extract

Aim: This work was undertaken to investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity of S. lehmbachii ethanol root bark extract.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, University of Calabar, Nigeria, between June, 2013 and October, 2015.

Methods: Antioxidant activity of the root extract was evaluated using DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrayl) radical, Nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays.

Results: A significant inhibition at different concentration of the extract was observed with DPPH radical, nitric oxides and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities when compared with ascorbic acid.

Conclusion: The results of the study show that the ethanol root bark extract of S. lehmbachii may serve as a good scavenger of free radicals, hence reduces the effects of oxidative stress in the body and could be explored as a therapeutic agent in free radical induced diseases.