Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemistry Study of Combretum obanense Stem (Bak. F) Hutch. and Dalz

Objective: The objective of the present study was designed to test the antioxidant activity and phytochemical property of the methanol/ methylene chloride (1:1) extract of Combretum obanense.

Place and Duration of Study: The International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD), 110 Aku Road Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, between January 2014 and July 2014.

Methodology: We had assessed methanol/methylene chloride (1:1) stem extract of C. obanense, for antioxidant potentials with the help of DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging, reducing power assay and phytochemical analysis.

Results: The extract was capable of neutralizing the DPPH free radicals via hydrogen donating activity by 78.09, 80.13, 80.54, 80.45, and 76.99% at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml respectively while reducing power extract ranging from 0.7490±0.0017 to 0.16470.0007.

Conclusion: The finding supports the traditional use of this plant in Nigeria traditional medicine. We recommend further research on these plant stem for possible isolation and characterization of the various active chemical substances which has the toxic and medicinal values.