Project Materials

TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF HIPPOCRETEA WELWITSCHII OLIV

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Oxidative stress is a biological condition defined by an imbalance between the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of the body’s antioxidant defence systems to neutralise them.

ROS, including free radicals, can damage cellular components like lipids, proteins, and DNA, resulting in a variety of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular problems, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging-related conditions.

To combat the negative consequences of oxidative stress, the human body relies on endogenous antioxidant processes, but it can also benefit from exogenous antioxidants taken from dietary sources or medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants have long been recognised as rich sources of natural antioxidants, and their use in traditional medicine is predicated on their ability to treat oxidative stress-related illnesses.

Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv., a plant unique to specific locations, has received attention for its purported therapeutic characteristics, which include antioxidant activity.

The ethanolic extract of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. has traditionally been utilised for a variety of therapeutic purposes, and there is growing interest in knowing its total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in order to investigate its potential applications in healthcare.

The TAC of a drug is its ability to scavenge free radicals, prevent lipid peroxidation, and protect against oxidative damage. It is a key measure in determining the antioxidant capacity of natural goods, especially plant extracts.

Several approaches have been devised to assess TAC, each focussing on a different component of antioxidant activity. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay are both widely utilised.

The FRAP assay involves reducing a ferric tripyridyltriazine (Fe^3+-TPTZ) complex to its ferrous form (Fe^2+) in presence of antioxidants. The colour change from blue to bright blue reflects the reduced capability of the tested substance.

The DPPH test, on the other hand, assesses antioxidants’ ability to scavenge the stable DPPH radical, which causes a colour change from purple to yellow. Both assays provide useful information about antioxidants’ electron-donating and radical scavenging activities.

In the case of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv., few scientific investigations have concentrated on determining the TAC. Therefore, the current study intends to investigate the TAC of the ethanolic extract of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. utilising the FRAP and DPPH assays.

Understanding this plant extract’s antioxidant capacity can help to determine its potential therapeutic applications in preventing or treating oxidative stress-related disorders.

The ethanolic extract of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. was used for this investigation because ethanol is a commonly utilised solvent for extracting bioactive components from medicinal plants.

Ethanol extracts have been shown to be effective at extracting a variety of secondary metabolites, including phenolic chemicals, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, all of which are known to have antioxidant effects.

These phytochemicals are known for scavenging free radicals, chelating metal ions, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and regulating antioxidant enzyme activity.

Previous research on Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. has shown possible antioxidant effects, however more complete studies are needed to determine its TAC. The FRAP and DPPH assays can be used to assess the ethanolic extract’s electron-donating and radical scavenging properties.

This evaluation will shed light on the antioxidant capacity of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. and contribute to a better understanding of its medicinal significance.

Furthermore, analysing the TAC of the ethanolic extract of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. can aid in determining the individual bioactive components responsible for its antioxidant action.

Phytochemical study of the extract can reveal the presence of numerous antioxidant components, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids.

These chemicals have been extensively researched for their potential to scavenge free radicals, limit oxidative damage, and influence cellular signalling pathways involved in antioxidant defence.

The antioxidant activity of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. extract may also be modified by its geographical origin, ambient conditions, and extraction methods. Variations in these parameters might cause changes in the composition and concentration of bioactive molecules, hence influencing the extract’s overall antioxidant activity.

As a result, it is critical to assess the TAC of the ethanolic extract of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. employed in this investigation.

Understanding the TAC of Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. extract is not only scientifically significant, but also has potential applications in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

Antioxidants are essential for preserving cellular health, preventing oxidative stress, and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses.

Incorporating natural antioxidants into therapeutic interventions or dietary supplements can be a safer alternative to synthetic antioxidants and may give extra health advantages.

Furthermore, TAC assessment can help with the standardisation and quality control of goods containing Hippocreatea welwitschii Oliv. extract. It guarantees that.