Antioxidant activities of Terminalia ivorensis leaf extracts and its isolated constituent

Abstract

This study evaluated antioxidant activities of the Terminalia ivorensis leaf extracts. One compound was isolated using open column chromatography and activity directed fractionation methods. The compound was characterised using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) technique. Isolated compound (1) was identified as methyl-3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (methyl  gallate) and reported from this plant for the first time. Quantitative antioxidant activities of the crude extract, various solvent   fractions and the isolated compound (1) were evaluated using: DPPH, nitric oxide scavenging, ferric reducing power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity assays. The samples demonstrated varying degrees of antioxidant activities and isolated compound (1)   exhibited the best activity. This study demonstrated that Terminalia ivorensis leaf extracts and the isolated compound (1) possessed potent antioxidant activities. Isolated compound (1) is several times better than the standard (ascorbic acid) in some of the assays. Compound (1) could be effective in the management of oxidative stress related diseases and may assist in drug development.