Chemical and Antioxidant Studies of Citrus macroptera

Abstract

Lupeol (1) and Stigmasterol (2) were isolated from the crude extracts of the stem bark of Citrus macroptera (Family: Rutaceae) for the first time. The n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts were screened in vitro for antioxidant activity using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The hot methanol extract showed potential antioxidant activity (IC50: 178.96 μg/ml) whereas the cold methanol and dichloromethane extracts showed moderate activity (IC50: 242.78 μg/ml and 255.78 μg/ml respectively). Mild antioxidant activity was observed with the n-hexane extract of the stem bark of Citrus macroptera (IC50: 422.94 μg/ml). Key words: Citrus macroptera, Rutaceae, Lupeol, Stigmasterol, Antioxidant.   doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v43i4.2235 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 43(4), 449-454, 2008