Author(s):

Ezealisiji Kenneth M and Tamuno-Eli Belema

Abstract: Oxidative processes can compromise the immune system. The problem posed by oxidative processes is quite challenging in the field of internal medicine and oncology. This study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant activity of different parts of Annona muricata. Methanol extracts of the leaves, root, root bark, and stem bark were analyzed for their total phenolic content, total flavonol content and antioxidant activities using Gallic acid equivalent (GAE), Quercetin equivalent (QE) and DPPH reduction as references. Phytochemical screening and the antioxidant assay were done using standard methods. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, phenols, reducing sugar, anthraquinone, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, and carbohydrates. The total phenolic content was found to be 74.9, 56.5, 47.6 and 51.5 (% mg/g GAE) for the leaves, root, stem bark and root bark respectively while the total flavonol content gave 365.6, 83.4, 264.8 and 195.6 (µg/mg QE) for the leaves, root, stem bark, and root bark respectively. The IC50 was observed to be 4.36, 14.37, 11.72 and 12.25 (µg/ml) for the leaves, root, stem bark and root bark respectively. These results suggest that different parts of A. muricata possess high levels of polyphenols and significant antioxidant capacities.

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