Original Articles
Omodamiro OD and Umekwe JC
Abstract
The objectives of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of ethanolic extracts of Citrus sinensis peels and leaves. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated by using nitric oxide inhibition and anti-lipid peroxidation models. Both peels and leaves extracts produced a dose–dependent inhibition in vitro. Highest inhibition was seen in the extracts of highest concentration 65.7% for peels and 57.4% for leaves in nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay, 66.5% and 54.7% for peels and leaves extract respectively in antilipid peroxidation assay. Leaves extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory property at different time intervals that was dose-dependent. Extracts of both peels and leaves showed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results clearly indicate that free radical scavenging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of ethanolic extracts of Citrus sinensis are comparable to ascorbic acid, ciprofloxacin and aspirin used as standards respectively.