Authors : Kibiwott Scolar Jepkorir; Ngugi Mathew Piero; Ng’ang’a Margaret Mwihaki

Volume/Issue : Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 11 - November

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc6ynjjx

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4e6au7xv

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10154221

Abstract : Oxidative stress is the primary cause of many human ailments, including aging. Synthetic antioxidants are unaffordable and are associated with severe effects. This necessitates the need for alternative antioxidant agents. This investigation aimed to determine the antioxidant activities and qualitative phytochemical composition of DCM and MeOH blend extracts of root barks of Carissa edulis and leaves of Caesalpinia volkensii. The antioxidant assays included ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), H2O2 radical scavenging and DPPH radical scavenging activities, as well as total flavonoid and total phenolic content tests. The extracts revealed potent FRAP and DPPH and H2O2 radical scavenging activities, including a considerable amount of total flavonoids and phenolics contents. The C. edulis extract noted better antioxidant activities than C. volkensii extract. The antioxidant effects of the two studied extracts were concentration-dependent. In addition, the C. edulis extract had a considerably higher amount of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents relative to C. volkensii extract. Phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, and flavonoids were detected in the qualitative phytochemical analysis, except for alkaloids and steroids in C. volkensii extract and cardiac glycosides in C. edulis extract. In conclusion, the two extracts have potent antioxidant activities and are endowed with phytochemicals associated with antioxidant activities. The two extracts, therefore, may be used as alternative antioxidant agents.

Keywords : Antioxidant; oxidative stress; phytochemicals; flavonoids; phonolics