Abstract

IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF SELECTED PLANT BARKS

G.V. Sampath Kumar, Dr.K.Eswar Kumar

Abstract

The objective of this study is to find out the free radical scavenging(antioxidant) activity of four different bark extracts namely Alstoniascholaris, Ficus bengalensis, Pongamia pinnata and Ricinuscommunis. The study includes both in-vitro methods and in-vivomethods. The in-vitro free radical scavenging activity was recorded bysuperoxide radical scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavengingassay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavengingassay and DPPH method using various concentrations of differentextracts (12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400μg/ml) against blank with ascorbicacid as a standard of same concentrations. The in-vivo methods includelipid peroxidation assay and reduced glutathione estimation. All theextracts showed significant antioxidant activity when compared with the standard i.e.ascorbic acid. The IC50 values of all the extracts were determined and tabulated. Theobserved antioxidant activity of the selected plant barks might be due to the presence ofactive constituents like flavonoids like quercetin and polyphenols, Saponins, vit. C, alkaloidsand sterols. Since reactive oxygen species are involved in stress and stress related disorders,these plants may be beneficial in preventing the initiation or progression of such disorders.

Keywords: Alstonia scholaris, Ficus benghalensis, Pongamia pinnata , Ricinus communis, super oxide, DPPH reagent, glutathione, lipid peroxidation, Antioxidant activity, IC50