PROANTHOCYANIDIN CONTENT AND SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF METHANOL EXTRACT AND FLAVONOID-RICH EXTRACT FRACTIONS OF Kigelia africana FRUIT ON 1,1-DIPHENYL-2-PICRYL-HYDRAZYL RADICALS.

ABSTRACT

Plant extracts have been employed for thousands of years because they contain higher bioactive components which are responsible for specific physiological processes in the human body. The fruits, flowers, seeds, and leaves contain a wide variety of phytochemicals that have been linked to a host of health advantages, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, and protective effects on the gastro, hepatic, neurological, and cardiovascular systems. Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth is one of those tree species that have been heavily exploited for their medicinal, religious and cultural values. Its fruits have shown to be beneficial and are frequently mentioned in pharmacological research most especially its antioxidant activity. In this study, in vitro antioxidant assays (Proanthocyanidin test and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay) were carried out on the Methanol Extract and its fractions and also Flavonoid-rich extract and its fractions of Kigelia africana fruit extract to confirm the claims of it exhibiting anti-oxidant potential. Proanthocyanidin test was used to analyze the content of proanthocyanidin in the sample extracts as proanthocyanidin contains anti-oxidantdant properties.The 1,1-Diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used for the measurement of antioxidant properties the sa,mpe extracts possess by accessing how they serve as hydrogen providers or free radical scavengers of DPPH while comparing it to a standard oxidant in this case, Ascorbic acid was used .This study reviews the antioxidant activities of this African medicinal plant called Kigelia aficana.