Antioxidant and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activities of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle leaves

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate antioxidant and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activities of Ailanthus altissima leaves extracts. N-hexane and methanol-aqueous extracts of Ailanthus altissima leaves were tested for their antioxidant activities, using DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ferric reducing antioxidant power, cholinesterase, elastase, and tyrosinase assays. The results showed that methanolaqueous extract has a significant radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and mild cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity and n-hexane was less active. Keywords: Ailanthus altissima, leaves, antioxidant activity, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity.