ABSTRACT

Presence of antioxidants in a plant,is associated with numerous health benefits: The aim of this study is to assess the presence as well as the concentration of antioxidants in the methanol fraction of leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana. It was seen to possess antioxidants which increased when the concentration of the plant extract was increased. The DPPH % inhibition at different concentration were 0.02mg/ml(16.03±0.02), 0.04mg/rnl(24.32±0.02), 0.06rng/rnl(45.04±0.03 ), 0.08rng/ml(57.86±0.04), 0.l0rrig/ml(68.72±0.03).The reducing power at different concentration were found to be: 0.02rng/ml(27.48±0.02), 0.o4mglml(40.68±0.00), 0.06mg/rnl(53.8 1±0.01), 0.O8rnglml(60.03±0.0 1), 0.lOmg/ml(72.22±0.0 1). The hydrogen peroxide % inhibition 'vas found to be: 20rng/rnl(12.20 ± 0.00), 40rng/ml(2 1.34 ± 0.00), 60rng/ml(46.05 ± 0.04), 80mg/mI (59.66 ± 0.02), 100mg/mI (63.28 ± 0.01).The total phenol content was found to be the highest at (46.12±0.00)gGAE/loog while the total flavonoid content was (10.01±0.03) GAE!100g. The results obtained from this study showed that this plant is a good source of antioxidant and its consumption can result to a decrease in the risk of diseases caused by oxidative stress including cancer, diabetes and various infections by inhibiting initiation of chain reactions and terminating initiated chain reactions.