title: Antioxidant potential of phenolic extracts of Mimusops elengi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antioxidant potential of the phenolic extracts of Mimusops elengi (M. elengi) L. (Sapotaceae).
  
  
  METHODS
  The extract of stem bark and seeds of M. elengi were prepared in methanol and acetone:water (7:3). The acetone: water was further partitioned with ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Antioxidant activity of the extracts and partitioned fractions of M. elengi was evaluated in terms of radical scavenging potential (DPPH), inhibition of lipid peroxidation [ferric thiocyanate (FTC)], and total antioxidant activity (phosphomolybdate method). Total phenolics content were calculated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stem bark extract partitioned with ethyl acetate exhibited highest amount of total phenols (98.0 mg GAE/g dry weight), among all other extracts, with 92.0% DPPH radical scavenging activity at concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, while methanol extract (stem bark) had maximum inhibition of lipid peroxidation (62.0%) and total antioxidant activity (771.0 mg/g GAE/g). A positive correlation occurred between total phenols and radical scavenging activity (R (2) = 0.922 9) and total antioxidant activity (R (2) = 0.945 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggested that antioxidant activity of stembark extract of M. elengi is due the presence of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the bark extract is a valuable source of natural antioxidants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Durre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shahwar
authors.forename: Muhammad Asam
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Raza
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D032130:Mimusops / Q000737:chemistry*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antioxidant activity; DPPH; Mimusops elengi L.; Percentage inhibition; Total phenolics content