Abstract

FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF THE MIXTURE OF DIFFERENT MEDICINAL PLANTS OF BUNDELKHAND REGION

Dinesh Kumar, Smrati Sharma and Ramesh Kumar*

Abstract

Several plants and their constituents are rich source of antioxidants and play significant role in prevention of disease progression. In the present study mixture of fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus, rhizome of Zingiber officinale and leaves of fresh Ocimum tenuiflorum was taken in a flask containing 200 ml distilled water. The mixture was boiled upto 180 ml volume was obtained. After gentle boil and lightly simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, the flask was removed and filtered. The yellowish (colour) liquid extract was observed. The aqueous mixture of extract was analysed for phytochemical constituents, TLC, antioxidant capacity, superoxide radicals and nitric oxide scavenging activity. Various phytochemicals were present in the aqueous extract. Five different components having different Rf values were observed. Further, antioxidant, superoxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity was observed which is comparable to BHT and ascorbic acid. Therefore, the present investigation suggest that the aqueous mixture of extract of tulsi, ginger and lemon grass has significant antioxidant activity and could be served as an easily accessible item of natural rich antioxidant beverages or food.

Keywords: Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Zingiber officinale, Antioxidant, Phytocontituents, Superoxide radicals, Nitric Oxide scavenging activity.