Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Leave Extract of Borreriaverticillta Linn (Rubiaceae)

Antioxidant effect of Borreriaverticillata used in Nigerian traditional medicine was carried out using 2,2- diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and reducing power assay on the ethanol extract of the leave. The DPPH scavenging activity result indicated a concentration dependent antioxidant activity with significant (P< 0.001) difference at 750 and 1000?g/ml compared with those of the standard ascorbic acid and gallic acid. A reducing power range of 0.655± 0.001 and 1.84± 0.001nm measured at 700nm were obtained for extract concentrations range between 31.25 to 1000?g/ml. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, triterpenes and carbohydrates. These phytochemicals may be responsible for the observed antioxidant activity. It indicates that the ethanol extract of the leaves may serve as a promising source of antioxidant agent as well as being helpful in the treatment of ailments resulting from free radical damage. Key words: Antioxidants, free radicals, Borreriaverticillata, DPPH, reducing powe