Annona senegalensis known as African custard apple or wild custard apple, Gwándàn dààjìì (Hausa) or dukuu-hi (Fulani) is a tropical perennial growing shrub (2-7m) or small tree (11m) growing under suitable environmental conditions. The present study aimed to compare the antioxidant potential of the fractions of methanolic root bark extract of Annona senegalensis. Methanolic root bark extract of Annona senegalensis was fractionated based on the preparative TLC. Silica gel G coated in preparative TLC plate was used as stationary phase with Chloroform: Methanol (9:1) as a mobile phase. The antioxidant potential of fractions was determined using DPPH assay. The result of preparative TLC revealed the presence of eleven bands labelled as fractions (I–XI) with different Rf value. Antioxidant activity assay of the fractions demonstrated a greater potential in the DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Fraction VIII (2.2267±0.02) has the highest antioxidant activity (p<0.05) compared to other fractions and to vitamin C standard (5.3980±0.01) while fraction I (6.2890±0.01) has the lowest antioxidant activity compared to vitamin C standard. The strong antioxidant activity possess by the root bark of Annona senegalensis could be beneficial in the treatment of ailments resulting from oxidative stress.

Keywords : Annona senegalensis, DPPH and Preparative TLC.