Antioxidant Effects of Cocos nucifera L. (Asteraceae) Stem Bark Extracts using Diphenyl-I-picrylhydrazyl; Hydrogen Peroxide and Nitric Oxide Scavenging Assay

Abstract

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae)) supplies nearly all of the basics of life, including food, oil and phyto-medicines. However, reports on the antioxidant effects of the stem bark of C. nucifera are scanty. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant effects of coconut stem bark extracts using diphenyl-i-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay using standard techniques The stem bark of the plant was pulverized and macerated with 70% ethanol. Antioxidant analysis was evaluated on the extract using diphenyl-I-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay. Results indicated that the ethanol extract possesses dose-dependent antioxidant activity. DPPH scavenging activity assay showed an IC₅₀ of 7.65 g/mL, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity assay revealed an IC₅₀ of 22.92 μg/mL and an IC₅₀ of 79.83 μg/mL for the nitric oxide scavenging activity. In conclusion, the ability of the extract to scavenge for free radicals, demonstrates its ability to neutralize numerous radicals in different systems, suggesting that it might be helpful as a cheap source of phyto-antioxidant for the management of pathologies associated with free radicals' damaging effects.