article · JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND LEGAL STUDIES NORTH-EASTERN UNIVERSITY GOMBE
Leaf extracts from Azadirachta indica and Calotropis procera show strong antioxidant activity and rich phytochemical profiles. Using maceration with methanol and hexane solvents, leaf extracts were evaluated for free radical scavenging ability via DPPH assays. Both species contain bioactive compounds, including saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and glycosides. Methanolic extracts proved most effective, with Azadirachta indica achieving 76.10 percent radical inhibition and Calotropis procera reaching 73.42 percent. Quantitative analysis revealed that Azadirachta indica holds higher concentrations of phenols, tannins, and glycosides, whereas Calotropis procera possesses elevated amounts of saponins and alkaloids. These results confirm that both medicinal plants act as natural antioxidant agents and represent promising candidates for therapeutic formulations against oxidative stress-related conditions, although isolating and characterising the specific active molecules requires further investigation.
Oxidative stress contributes to numerous health conditions, creating continuous interest in effective natural antioxidants. Demonstrating that readily available plants such as Azadirachta indica and Calotropis procera possess strong radical-scavenging properties provides an evidence base for their traditional medicinal use. It also encourages the scientific exploration of plant-derived bioactive compounds as foundations for treating illnesses linked to cellular oxidative damage.
This research represents early-stage laboratory screening. The findings could eventually interest pharmaceutical or nutraceutical developers seeking natural bioactive ingredients for formulations targeting oxidative stress-related ailments. Real-world application remains distant, as substantial preclinical work, including the isolation, purification, and characterisation of the individual active compounds, must take place before commercial formulations or medical products can be developed.
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Azadirachta indica and Calotropis procera are medicinal plants widely recognized for their therapeutic properties in traditional medicine. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of leaf extracts from both species, using methanol and hexane solvents through the maceration technique. The antioxidant potential was assessed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, including saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and glycosides. Among the extracts, the methanolic extract of A. indica demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, with 76.10% inhibition, followed by the methanolic extract of C. procera, with 73.42% inhibition. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that A. indica contained higher concentrations of phenols (2.591%), tannins (3.595%), and glycosides (65%), while C. procera had elevated levels of saponins (14.40%), alkaloids (1.368%), and glycosides (35%). These findings indicate that Azadirachta indica and Calotropis procera possess significant antioxidant activity, suggesting their potential as sources of natural antioxidant agents. The abundance of bioactive compounds in these plants underscores their suitability for the development of therapeutic formulations targeting oxidative stress-related conditions. Further comprehensive research is recommended to isolate and characterize the specific compounds responsible for their antioxidant effects.
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DOI: 10.64290/jsls.v1i1.25
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