Antioxidant activity of Rhizophora apiculata stem bark extract

Oxidative stress, a pathological condition stemming from an imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. The overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species exacerbates this imbalance, contributing to cellular damage and tissue injury. Rhizophora apiculata, a mangrove plant with a rich ethnomedical tradition in Asia and Africa, has been employed for centuries in treating diverse diseases. Given its historical use and potential therapeutic benefits, this research study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of its stem bark. The phenolic content of the methanolic stem bark extract from R. apiculata was quantified, and its antioxidant potential was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and ascorbic acid used as a standard. There was a positive correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity, suggesting that phenolic compounds are the principal contributors to the extract's antioxidant characteristics. This research finding indicates a direct relationship between the amount of methanolic extract and its total phenolic content as its ability to act as an antioxidant. The methanolic extract demonstrated antioxidant properties with an IC50 value of 271.2 ppm. Furthermore, the methanolic extract exhibited a total phenolic content of 10.86 ± 0.21%.