EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF EIGHT DIFFERENT PLANTS MATERIALS

The plants and their materials have been utilized for treatment of various diseases in human and animals which are rich source of antioxidants due to presence of phytonutrients such as vitamins (alpha-tocopherol, Ascorbate, carotenoid) or minerals (zinc, selenium) and flavanoid, polyphenols and flavoproteins which exert their action through scavenging free radicals in vivo system. Hence search for new natural antioxidant is required. Aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant activity of extracts of different plant materials qualitatively and quantitatively, by in vitro tests. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared from eight different plant material viz., Phyllanthus emblica (fruit), Tectona grandis (leaves), Solanum nigrum (leaves), Momordica charantia (fruit), Ficus bengalensis (leaves), Asparagus racemosus (roots), Swertia chirata (leaves), Curcuma longa (leaves). Phytochemical analysis of these plant extracts were performed for determination of antioxidant capacity by in vitro qualitative and quantitative tests. In vitro qualitative analysis revealed presence of alkaloid, phenol and flavonoids in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Tectona grandis followed by Solanum nigrum, Phyllanthus emblica. In vitro quantitative test by FRAP assay revealed highest values in ethanolic extract of P. emblica (6.51 +/- 0.08 mu mol of FeSO4/mg) followed by aqueous extract of P. emblica (6.16 +/- 0.02 mu mole of FeSO4/mg). Percentage inhibition of Ascorbate iron phospholipid was found highest values in aqueous extracts of T. grandis (55.49 +/- 0.25%) followed by P. emblica (54.79 +/- 0.17%). Critical analysis of qualitative and quantitative test revealed best antioxidant capacity in aqueous extract of Phyllanthus emblica and Tectona grandis among all 16 extract of different plant materials.