Free Radical Scavenging and In-vitro Antioxidant Effects of Ethanol Extract of the Medicinal Herb Chromolaena odorata Linn.

The ethanol extract of the leaf of Chromolaena odorata (Linn) was assessed for freeradical-
scavenging and antioxidant potentials. Ability of the extract to scavenge reactive
intermediates (superoxide ion O2
·-, hydrogen peroxide H2O2, nitric oxide NO˙, hydroxyl
radical OH˙) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, were used to assess
its free radical scavenging potentials. Antioxidant potential was studied by assessing invitro
inhibition of lipid peroxidation in both the brain (Neuro-protective potentials) and
liver homogenates of Fenton-oxidant stressed rabbits. Inhibition of protein oxidation was
assessed in-vitro by loss of protein thiol (P-SH), while assessment of the reducing
power of the extract was further used to assess antioxidant capacity. Results obtained
showed the ability of the extract to scavenge free radicals and reactive intermediates in
a dose-response manner. The plant also had good antioxidant capacity. The secondary
plant metabolites found earlier in the extract may explain reasons for the bio-efficacy of
the plant. These findings are of great importance in view of the availability of the plant
and its observed possible diverse applications in medicine and nutrition.