Evaluation of the In vitro activity of aqueous fraction of phenolic-rich extract of Acalypha wilkesiana Leaves:- Okorie, Nneoma A

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant efficacy of at different concentrations of Acalypha -wilkesiana extract at 20mg/ml, 40 mg/ml, 60 mg/ml, 80 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml using vitamin C as a reference compound. Acalypha wilkesiana extract was analyzed for its antioxidant efficacy as reducing power ability as well as its ability to scavenge free radicals such as 1,1- diphenyl2-picryl hydrazyl, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results of the study showed significant and concentration-dependent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. Consequently, the Acalypha -wilkesiana extract exerted significant scavenging activities of 1,1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl in a concentration-dependent manner by 12.973%, 13.632%, 22.22% and 30.17% at 20mg/ml, 40 mg/ml, 60 mg/ml, 80 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml respectively. For the extracts scavenging activity for hydrogen peroxide free radicals, the results showed significant scavenging activities. These findings justify the biological and traditional uses of Acalypha ■wilkesiana or its secondary metabolites as confirmed by its promising antioxidant efficacy.