title: Evaluation of the In Vitro and In Vivo Antioxidant Potentials of Aframomum melegueta Methanolic Seed Extract.
abstract: Aframomum melegueta Schum (Zingiberaceae) is a perennial herb widely cultivated for its valuable seeds in the tropical region of Africa. The present study evaluated the antioxidant effects of methanolic seed extract of A. melegueta. The antioxidant effects were evaluated using in vitro, 2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazine photometric assay and in vivo serum catalase, superoxide dismutase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay method. The extract (25-400  μ g/mL concentration) produced concentration dependent increase in antioxidant activity in 2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazine photometric assay. The extract (400 mg/kg) showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in serum catalase and superoxide dismutase activity when compared with the control group. The extract (400 mg/kg) showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the serum level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance when compared with the control group. These findings suggest that the seed of A. melegueta has potent antioxidant activity which may be responsible for some of its reported pharmacological activities and can be used as antioxidant supplement.
authors: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, PMB 7267, Umudike, Nigeria.
authors: Samuel Okwudili
authors: SO
authors: Onoja
authors: Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, PMB 7267, Umudike, Nigeria.
authors: Yusuf Ndukaku
authors: YN
authors: Omeh
authors: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, PMB 7267, Umudike, Nigeria.
authors: Maxwell Ikechukwu
authors: MI
authors: Ezeja
authors: Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, PMB 7267, Umudike, Nigeria.
authors: Martins Ndubuisi
authors: MN
authors: Chukwu