The antioxidant activities, phytochemical analysis and formulation of an energy drink from strychnos innocua stem bark extract.

Abstract

Free radicals are compounds generated in the body in response to environmental insults such as tobacco smoke, ultraviolent rays, air pollution and as a natural by-product of normal processes in cells. Since they lack a full complement of electrons, they steal electrons from other molecules and damage them in the process. This results into oxidative stress and rapid aging. There are several synthetic antioxidant agents for example butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA)and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) are commercially available, however, are reported to be toxic to people (Gupta and Gupta 2016). So there is need to look for alternative antioxidants from natural plants with less side effect. Flavonoids, lutein and polyphenols are ones of the antioxidant chemicals discovered in Strychnos innocua responsible for its antioxidant activities. (Ayo, Achika et al. 2022). Despite the fact that Strychnos innocua is largely used in ethno medicine, there is still little literature on its antioxidant activities and phytochemical properties (Oyedemi, Bradley et al. 2010). As result, the aim of this research is to assess the antioxidant activities and phytochemical constituents of Strychnos innocua for alternative source of natural antioxidants with less side effect.