Abstract

The in vitro antioxidant capability of methanolic leaf and root extracts of jamaica cherry, Muntingia calabura (L.) Willd (Elaeocarpaceae) was evaluated. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated for ferric reducing antioxidant power, 1,1-diphenyl -2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reducing power activity and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity. Ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxy amide (BHA) were kept as standards. The study species posseses an DPPH activity of 29.21 & 21.46%, ferric reducing antioxidant power of 1.47 & 0.63 μM/g, reducing power activity of 1.27 & 2.43% and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity of 21.15 & 16.27 % at 10 mg/ml concentration of leaves and root respectively. The methanolic leaf and root extracts showed effectiveness in scavenging free radicals and has the potential to be a powerful antioxidant.

Keywords: Muntingia calabura, Methanol extract, Antioxidant activity,radical scavenging.