ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-LIPIDPEROXIDATION POTENTIALS OF THE ETHYLACETATE AND CHLOROFORM EXTRACTS OF BASELLA ALBA LEAVES

The search for antioxidants in various plants fractions became pertinent since they limit the oxidation of macro molecule by free radical that leads to cellular oxidative damage implicated in several chronic human diseases. The present study was undertaken to find the antioxidant and inhibitory potentials of lipid peroxidation by ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of Basella Alba leaves. Extracts were prepared by soaking dried leaves of the selected plant in appropriate solvents using liquid-liquid chromatographic technique. Phenol and Flavonoid contents of the extracts were measured by Folin Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride assays. Hydroxyl radicals and 1,1diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging effect were determined using deoxyribose assay and the ability of the extract to donate electron to the stable DPPH. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation was carried out using the reactions of peroxides with Thiobarbituric acid. Results revealed the total phenolic contents equivalent of gallic acid (GAE) of the ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts were 0.029±0.001mg/g and 0.030± 0.002mg/g respectively. The total flavonoids content, equivalent of quercetin standard were 0.045±0.001mg/g and 0.085±0.001mg/g. The extracts exhibited radical scavenging activity in a concentration dependent manner. Ethylacetate and chloroform extract scavenged DPPH radical by 57.29% ±0.011 and by 82.19%±0.01 at 200µ g/mL concentrations. Maximum hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was obtained at 150µg/mL by ethylacetate (50.10±0.1%) and chloroform (41.10%) extracts respectively. The two fractions conferred 50% protection at maximum concentration on lipid peroxidation induced by FeS0 4, as inhibition was dose dependent. Results obtained shows that certain bioactive agents with antioxidant and anti-lipidperoxidation properties are present in the leaves extracts. This study give scientific support for its wide consumption as leafy vegetable in western part of Nigeria as a rich source of dietary antioxidant, while these extracts may be explored as template in drug discovery and design especially in prevention and management of diseases associated with aging.