ABSTRACT
Blighia sapida(B.sapida)K.D.Koenig(Family Sapindaceae)is a branchless straight bole approximately 15 m in length.The study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract and fractions of B.sapida stem-bark using in vitro methods.Ethanol extract and its fractions were investigated for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)radical scavenging activity,ferric reducing anti-oxidant power(FRAP),total antioxidant capacity(TAC),and quantitative phenolic and flavonoid contents.Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation and membrane stabilization as-says.The extract and its fractions exhibited radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties.The ethyl acetate fraction possessed maximum phenolic and flavonoid contents(136.67±1.55 gallic acid equivalent mg/g and 75.76±4.03 quercetin equivalent mg/g,respectively).Antioxidant studies revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction displayed superior activity with an IC50=0.09±0.03 mg/mL DPPH,and values of 146.96±3.81 ascorbic acid equivalent(AAE)mg/g and 359.20±4.98 AAE mg/g for FRAP and TAC,respectively.Furthermore,the anti-inflammatory activity was revealed by inhibition of heat-induced albumin denaturation and red blood cell membrane stabilization at concentrations of 200-1000 μg/mL and 50-250 μg/mL,respectively.The ethanol extract and fractions exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities,with ethyl acetate fraction showing superior activity,which could be attributed to secondary metabolites,mainly phenolic compounds.Overall,the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of B.sapida can be exploited by ethnomedicinal users.