Vol. 5, Issue 11 (2016)

Author(s):
Uwemedimo Umoh, Paul Thomas, Emmanuel Etim, Imo Jacobs and Emmanuel Bassey

Abstract:
Five plants Alstonia boonei (leaf), Ficus exasperata (leaf), Nauclea latifolia (leaf), Raphia hookeri (root) and Vernonia amygdalina (leaf) used in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria ethnomedicine for the treatment of pain associated diseases were studied for their antioxidant properties using total flavonoid contents, rapid radical scavenging assay and diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) assay models. Results of the study revealed a positive correlation in the total flavonoid contents with Raphia hookeri showing the highest value of 50 + 00 in garlic acid equivalent and Ficus exasperata being the lowest with a value of 30+00 in gallic acid equivalent. The plants displayed potent DPPH scavenging potential with Raphia hookeri still being the highest and Ficus exasperata the lowest. Ultraviolet spectroscopic evaluation showed a dose-dependent scavenging of DPPH radical to non-radical forms in all plant extracts. The results of this study support the use of these plants in the management of pain related disorders.