IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF AERIAL PART OF MAERUA APETALA. ROTH (JACOBS) (CAPPARACEAE)

Abstract

Objective: To determine the total phenolics, flavonoids and in vitro antioxidant activity of petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol extracts of whole plant of Maerua apetala using various antioxidant model system viz, DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide, ABTS and reducing power. Methods: Total phenolic content was estimated by folin-ciocalteau method. Flavonoids were determined by Aluminium chloride method. In vitro antioxidant activity of petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol extracts was evaluated by studying 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity and reducing power using standard procedure. Result: The total phenolics and flavonoids in methanol extract were found to be 1.25 g 100 g^-1 and 2.44 g 100 g^-1 respectively. Among the solvent tested, methanol and ethanol extracts of whole plant of M. apetala showed potent in vitro antioxidant activities. Conclusion: This investigation explored immense free radical scavenging potential of whole plant of M. apetala which can be used for the treatment of various free radical mediated ailments.

Keywords: anti oxidant, Maerua apetala, ethanol, DPPH, ABTS, reducing power.