INTRODUCTIONSince time immemorial,

INTRODUCTION
Since time immemorial, plants and plant parts are being used as a source of medicine. In recent years, various species of plants have been used in preparation of drugs and consumed due to the presence of high antioxidant activities. The extracts of medicinal plants and natural products have become a great source of antioxidant and anti-ageing properties (Sumazian et al., 2010). Many human diseases are caused by oxidative stress that results from imbalance between the formation and neutralization of pro-oxidants (Hazra et al., 2008).
Ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation, chemical reactions and metabolic processes can induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. ROS includes free radicals. Free radicals can initiate the oxidation of bio molecules, such as protein, lipid, amino acids and DNA
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which will lead to cell injury and can induce numerous diseases including cardiovascular disease, ageing, cancer, atherosclerosis and a variety of other disorders (Hsu et al., 2007). Phenolics have been known to possess a capacity to scavenge free radicals. The antioxidant activity of phenolics is principally due to their redox properties, which allow them to act as reducing agents, hydrogen donors. Phenolics are especially common in leaves, flowering tissues and woody parts, such as stems and barks. Studies have shown that they play an important preventive role in the development of cancer, heart diseases and ageing related diseases (Larson, 1988).
The importance of the antioxidant constituents of plant materials in the maintenance of health and protection from diseases has intrigued scientist for a long time. There is a list of ongoing research on such plants for their potential usefulness as dietary supplements and as adjuvant for use in prevention of disease (Cross et al., 1987).