Antioxidant activity of the inflorescents of <i>Vernonia calvoana</i> growing in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Vernonia calvoana is an indigenous green leafy vegetable that grows around the Cameroons and the southern part of Nigeria. This study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of V. calvoana inflorescents using the following methods: 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), 2, 2-azobis-3-ethyl benzothiolin-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), anti-lipid, superoxide, phosphomolybdate and ascorbic acid assay. The result showed significantly high saponins, alkaloids and polyphenols at (p<0.05). Oxalates, cyanates, phytates, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, anthraquinones, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones were found in trace amounts. The assay indicated strong free radical scavenging activity, including ABTS, anti-lipid, superoxide, phosphomolybdate activities of the inflorescents. However, the percentage antioxidant capacity was low in the inflorescents using FRAP, whereas the antioxidant capacity increased with increase in concentration compared to the ascorbic acid standard. Moreover, the inflorescents were found to show stronger antioxidant activity (137.0+6.86) compared to ascorbic acid (79.44%).We therefore conclude that V. calvoana inflorescents could serve as source strong diatary antioxidants.

Evaluation of phytochemical components from ethyl acetate fraction of Vernonia calvoana using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and its antioxidants activities

“…This observed activity was dose dependent with significant (P<0.05) activity observed at does level of 400 ug/ml. Findings from this study is consistent with earlier report by Egbung et al (2016), indicating that the inflorescents from V. calvoana possess a high antioxidant activity that is comparable to …”

“…Documented reports have shown that extracts from this plant possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and in vivo antioxidant activity in diabetic animal which could make available the needed information to choose the extract from this plant for further biochemical investigations (Iwara et al, 2015 and2017). Also report by Egbung et al (2016) showed that the inflorescents from the plant possess a strong antioxidant activity compared to ascorbic acid.…”

Amelioration potentials of Vernonia calvaona ethanol leaf extract in paracetamol-treated rats

“…The hypolipidemic and antioxidant potentials of V. calvoana leaf extracts in diabetic rats has been reported by Iwara et al (2015) while the in vitro antioxidant properties of the inflorescent of V. calvoana indicated increased concentration of flavonoids (Egbung et al, 2016) thereby supporting its anti-oxidation role as previously reported.…”

The effect of <i>Vernonia calvoana</i> extract on some haematological indices in acetaminophen treated male wistar rats

“…Vernonia calvoana belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is commonly called "Ekeke leaf" and "Uchu nyin" respectively by the indigenes of the central and northern senatorial districts of Cross-River State of Nigeria (Igile et al, 2013, Egbung et al, 2016. The emphasis on Vernonia amygdalina has resulted in the neglect of other less utilised species that may have some ethnomedicinal properties.…”

“…Vernonia calvoana has been sparsely investigated compared to other Vernonia species. The anti-oxidant properties of the leaves as well as the inflorescents of Vernonia calvoana has been established (Igile et al, 2013, Egbung et al, 2016. However, there is little or no information on the erythropoietic potentials of the extract of Vernonia calvoana in acetaminophen treated Wistar rats.…”