THE IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF CITRULLUS LANATUS (WATER MELON) FRUIT-PARTS EXTRACTS
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Abstract
This research evaluated the antioxidant capacity (in vitro and in vivo) of the aqueous extracts of mesocarp, exocarp and the ethanol extract of the seeds of C. lanatus. DPPH scavenging ability, FRAP, serum MDA concentration, CAT, GPx and SOD activities were determined following standard methods. Results showed that the highest percentage DPPH radical scavenging activity in the endocarp was 96.4500±.58%, for the mesocarp, the highest percentage of DPPH scavenging activity was 96.76±.61%, for the seed extract, the highest percentage DPPH radical scavenging activity was 69.98±1.09%.The endocarp showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability followed by the mesocarp. FRAP activity of extracts of the plant parts (endocarp/exocarp, mesocarp and the seeds) were all lower than that of Gallic acid used as standard at all concentrations. For the endocarp/exocarp, the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power scavenging activities was 0.04±.00 μMfe2+/g extract. For mesocarp, the FRAP was 0.01±0.00 μMfe2+/g extract. The highest ferric reducing antioxidant power for the seeds extracts was 0.05±0.00 μMfe2+/g extract. The endocarp showed the highest FRAP radical scavenging ability. Groups 4,5,6,7,8 and 9 (3.03±0.28, 3.07±0.14, 2.75±0.15, 2.46±0.38, 2.62±0.54 and 2.81±0.04 respectively) decreased MDA concentration significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to group 2 (5.95±0.64). The test groups 4 and 5 (20.55±0.99 and 26.03±1.08) increased catalase (CAT) activities significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to group 2 (13.77±1.49) but the catalase activities in the test groups 6, 8 and 9 (11.87±0.64, 11.21±0.67 and 11.64±1.54 respectively) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to group 2 (13.77±1.49). The GPx activity was significantly higher in groups 6, 7, 8 and 9 (25.21±0.43, 24.23±2.19, 24.845±0.25 and 9 respectively) compared to group 2 (21.29±1.90). The aqueous extract of C. lanatus endocarp had the highest DPPH scavenging activities followed by the mesocarp, the aqueous extract of the endocarp also showed the highest activity of FRAP. The mesocarp, endocarp and seed extracts showed significant degrees of endogenous antioxidant activities by reducing MDA concentrations and stabilizing endogenous antioxidants.