Antioxidant potentials of Gongronema latifolium (utazi) leaf extracts

Abstract

This investigation was carried out to explore the antioxidant potential of Gongronema latifolium (utazi) leaf extracts. The homogenised sample was extracted using two different solvents: methanol and aqueous. Total phenolic compounds, reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging activity of Gongronema latifolium leaf extracts were determined. Results showed that total phenol content was significantly (P<0.05) higher in methanol extract (2.73mgGAE/ml) than aqueous extract (1.13mgGAE/ml). DPPH radical scavenging activity was higher in methanol extract (17.94%) than aqueous extract (15.50%). The reducing power of methanol extract (0.94 ± 0.04) was non-significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of aqueous extract (0.20 ± 0.00). Based on this result, methanol extract of Gongronema latifolium revealed a higher antioxidant potential compared to aqueous extract. However, the study showed that Gongronema latifolium leaf extract is a good source of natural antioxidant due to its high antioxidant potentials.

Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, antioxidant, phytochemicals, spectrophotometer, herbal