International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

Authors
Nnaoma Ikenna E, Ajah Obinna, Ojimelukwe Chizoba, Joseph Rich, Ahamefula Chisom, Nzurike Cecil

Abstract
Vernonia amygdalina also known as bitter leaf is a member of the asteraceace family. It is used in the traditional treatment of various diseases in Africa. This study appraises the antioxidant activities, phenolic and flavonoid phytochemical properties of the leave. In addition to the estimation of the total phenol content, flavonoid content and ascorbic acid content. The activity of the extract was evaluated by measuring the scavenging activity which shows mean percentage of 50.74% at 0.3mg/ml, the reducing power is 41.74% at 0.3mg/ml and the percentage composition of flavonoid 1.273%, phenol 0.381% and vitamin c (ascorbic acid) 48.40mg per 100g. The presence of these antioxidatives parameters in the leaves extract showed the ability of the leaves to prevent free radicals which causes damage or death of cells. The result of this work showed that the leave extract can be utilized as an effective and safe antioxidant source.