Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Potential of Crude Extracts from Lippia Javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng Leaves

Background: Oxidative stress is implicated in most life threaten diseases. Objectives: This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Lippia javanica’s crude extracts. Methods: Phytochemical screening was carried out on pulverized Lippia javanica leaves using standard protocols. Crude extracts were prepared using various solvents (hexane, acetone, ethylacetate, methanol, dichloromethane respectively), and percentage yields calculated. The antioxidant activities of crude extracts were monitored with DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide (NO) radicals using spectra techniques. Results: The phytochemical presents in Lippia javanica were tannin, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenols. Percentage yield increased in order; Acetone > Methanol, > Dichloromethane > Ethyl-acetate > Hexane. All the crude extracts showed differ degrees of antioxidant potential as evidence by significantly (P < 0.05) scavenging DPPH, ABTS and NO radicals, Acetone crude extract showed the lowest IC₅₀ (2.22 × 10^-3 and 2.42 × 10^-3 mg/ml) toward DPPH and ABTS radical respectively in comparison to other crude extracts, and the positive controls (Ascorbic acid and Butylated hydroxyl anisole), Hexane crude extract showed the lowest IC₅₀ (3.95 × 10^-1 mg/ml) toward NO radical compared with other treatments. Conclusion: Therefore, this study proves that Lippia javanica crude extracts are good source of natural antioxidants in alleviating oxidative stress diseases. Isolation of bioactive compounds from crude extracts are desirable for future studies.