Free radical scavenging activity of ethanol leaves extracts of Anacardiaceae

Free radicals are responsible for causing many chronic and degenerative diseases. Antioxidants are substances capable of scavenging free radicals and preventing cell damage. In this context, antioxidant activity of alcoholic extracts from leaves of Anacardium occidentale and Myracrodruon urundeuva was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl DPPH and 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazolin- 6-sulfonic acid) ABTS methods. Phenolic content and phytochemical analysis were performed for each species. Results showed that both species exhibited free radical scavenging activity. These results are directly related to high phenolic content found in the extracts. M. urundeuva showed antioxidant activity similar to butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and could be considered a promising plant source of natural antioxidant