Abstract

IN VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCRENNING OF SIX PLANTS USED IN BENIN TO TREAT INTESTINAL INFECTIONS

Ménonvè Atindehou*, Ariane Honfozo, Yann Christie S. Adjovi, Jacob Bonou, Rodrigue Hounguè, Fifa T. Diane Bothon, Latifou Lagnika

ABSTRACT

The present work aimed to evaluate the in vitro free radical scavenging activity of hydroethanolic extract of six plants were known for their antimicrobial activity. After a survey in the local markets at Benin and a literature review, six plants were selected for this study. The antiradical activities of eight hydroethanolic extracts from the six plants were evaluated using the 2,2-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and their IC50 were determinated. Standard methods were used to determinate their phytochemical composition. All the eight extracts had radical scavenging; especially the extract of Psidium guajava and Cajanus cajan leaves which IC50 were 15 and 16 g/ml respectively compared to 5 g/ml of pure Ascorbic acid, used as reference. All the extracts contained flavonoids and tannins except Momordica charantia and Nauclea latifolia in which the presence of tannins was not revealed. The presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins and saponins in these extracts probably contributes to their antiradical potential.

Keywords: DPPH, antioxidant, free radical, secondary metabolites, phytochemistry screening.