ABSTRACT:
Objective.The present work is designed to study and compare the phenolic content and antioxidant properties of aqueous ethanolic extracts of leaves of Mangifera indica and Nicotiana tabacum. Methods.Two in vitro systems, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging ability and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ABTS free radical-scavenging power were used to measure the antioxidant activities of the two extracts. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Results. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between Mangifera indica and Nicotiana tabacum in their ability to scavenge free radicals. When compared to the standard, ascorbic acid, the extract of Mangifera indica showedcomparable activity in scavenging the free radicals. However there was a significant difference between the antioxidant activity of Nicotiana tabacumand ascorbic acid (p<0.05). The concentration of phenols and flavonoids were higher in the extract of Mangifera indica than Nicotiana tabacum. The results of the study indicate that Mangifera. indicacould be used in the management of various diseases which involve oxidative stress and generation of free radicals.