Polyphenolic contents and free radical scavenging potential of extracts from leaves of Ocimum americanum L.

This study assessed the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activity of ethanol, butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Ocimum americanum leaves using in vitro models. The ability of the extracts to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryihydrazyl (DPPH*), 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS*+), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Nitric Oxide (NO) and hydroxyl radical (OH*) was investigated. The inhibition of lipid oxidation, reducing power, total flavonoids, phenols and flavonols contents of the extracts were also determined using spectrophotometric methods. The result revealed highest concentration of polyphenolic compounds in the ethanol extract followed by n-butanol while ethyl acetate extract contained the least concentration. Free radical scavenging potentials of the extracts were found to be proportional to their respective polyphenolic contents. This study provides evidence that O. americanum leaves contain biologically active components with effective antioxidant activity and thus could be used for the management of radical related diseases.