(Ipomoea Aquatica) lEaF ExTRaCTS

Free radicals and other reactive oxygen species are derived either from normal essential metabolic processes in the human body or from external sources such as exposure to X-rays, ozone, cigarette smoking, air pollutants and industrial chemicals (Montez, 2005). On the other hand, the highly significant correlation between consumption of fats and oils and death rates from leukemia and malignant neoplasia of the breast, ovaries and rectum among persons 55 years may be a reflection of greater lipid peroxidation. Studies on the atherosclerosis reveal the probability that the disease may be due to free radical reactions involving diet- derived lipids in the arterial wall and serum to yield peroxidases and other substances. These compounds induce endothelial cell injury and produce changes in the arterial walls (Bagchi, et al., 1998). Members of the Cruciferous family seem to be rich in antioxidants and are in the first line of defense against cancer. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is one of the vegetables that are highly promoted for prevention of cancer. Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica) is also rich in antioxidants that ward off free radicals from the body, which causes diseases such as cancer. Cabbage and kangkong leaves yield flavanols-Quercetin, Kampferol, Myricetin and Isorhamnetin and flavones- Apigenin and Luteolin. The flavonoids have aroused considerable interest recently because of their potential beneficial effects on human health-they have been reported to have antiviral, anti-allergic, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant activities (Buhler, et al., 2011). People are very particular and compulsive when it comes to symptoms but which limit them because of financial incompatibilities and bad effect of synthetic drugs. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a phytochemical screening and to measure the antioxidant levels of cabbage and kangkong leaf extracts. Specifically, this is to assess the antioxidant level of the two leaf extracts using reducing power method; to determine if there is a significant difference between the plant leaf extract of cabbage and kangkong and the coated ascorbic acid as antioxidant. PHyToCHEMICal SCREENINg aNd dETERMINaTIoN oF THE aNTIoxIdaNT lEVElS oF CaBBag