Influence of different solvent polarities on the phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant properties of the fruit of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of different solvents with different polarities on the antioxidant properties of the fruit of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. The phenolics and flavonoids contents of the studied extracts were quantified through colorimetric tests, while the in vitro antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated through the assessments of the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential. The quantitative evaluations of the phytochemical compositions indicated that there were significant differences (p<0.05) in the amounts of phenolics and flavonoids of the extracts. The antioxidant activities measured by FRAP, TEAC and DPPH• scavenging methods revealed significant (p<0.05) differences amongst the extracts. Accordingly, methanolic extract was found to have the highest TEAC and FRAP contents with the values of 244.12 ± 21.76 mg/100g and 304.78 ± 5.71 mg/100g, respectively and the lowest IC50 value in the results obtained from DPPH• scavenging assay (64.33 ± 2.63 µg/mL). The results showed that methanol could be an appropriate extraction solvent for phytomedicines from X. aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich that could be helpful in the treatment and management of free-radical-associated oxidative damage.