Abstract:
The methanol extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves was subjected to antioxidant activity
using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant power
(FRAP) assay. The extract exhibited a high degree of antioxidant activity. From the FRAP assay
absorbance increased with increasing concentration of plant extract indicating a strong reduction
potential of the plant. Phytochemical screening on both methanol and aqueous extracts revealed the
following constituents’ common to both solvent extracts except alkaloids which were absent in the
methanol extract: Alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides. The plant powder and
aqueous extracts were taken through screening for wound healing activity by excision model. Both the
powder and the aqueous extract showed significant activity when compared with control and standard.
Percentage of wound contraction on 18th day was found to be 100% for the powdered plant ointment,
5% powdered plant ointment and100mg/ml aqueous extract respectively. The results have significantly
demonstrated the wound healing activity and the antioxidant activity of the leaves of Corchorus
olitorius.
