Abstract

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND PHENOLIC CONTENT OF CYPERUS ROTUNDUS LINN. RHIZOMES

Shinu Thomas*, Elsamma Thomas and Mariat George

Abstract

Cyperus rotundus is a plant, rich in alkaloids, phenolics and flavonoids as a potential source of compounds possessing beneficial biological activities. In this study the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes, were investigated to evaluate their antioxidant property. Antioxidant property was evaluated by using total antioxidant capacity, DPPH scavenging capacity, reducing spower assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. In DPPH assay, the percentage of inhibition of ethyl acetate extract (71±0.15at 125 μg/ml) showed higher activity than petroleum ether extract (63±0.04at 125 μg/ml). In hydrogen peroxide assay was found to be 3.09±0.006 at 125 μg/ml in ethyl acetate and 0.801±0.054 at 125 μg/ml in petroleum ether. The reducing power of ethyl acetate extract was 1.46±0.054 at 125 μg/ml and petroleum ether extract also was 0.86±0.054 at 125 μg/ml. In total antioxidant assay, the concentration range from 25-125μg/ml, the ethyl acetate extract showed strong dose than petroleum ether extract. Phenolic content was measured by Folin Ciocalteu assay and is expressed as Gallic acid equivalents. The results showed that Cyperus rotundus exhibits good antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Cyperus rotundus, antioxidant, free radicals.