Abstract

The root bark of Tacazzea apiculata Oliv. (Periplocaceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat hemorrhoids, inflammations and cancers. Free radical scavenging effects of the extracts obtained from the root of T. apiculata were studied using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydroxyl (DPPH) radical and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays with the view to justify the traditional uses of the plant. The results revealed that the root of T. apiculata is rich in bioactive compounds. The median effective concentration EC50 of the Tacazzea hexane extracts was 1380 μg/ml in the ABTS assay, that of Tacazzea ethyl acetate extract were found to be 125 and 5.9 μg/ml for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively and Tacazzea methanol extract gave EC50 of 75.0 and 6.2 μg/ml DPPH assay and ABTS assays, respectively. These results could serve as bases for the uses of T. apiculata in traditional medicine and suggest its potential of as a good source of drugs.