Abstract

DPPH radical scavenging activity of three medicinal plants from similipal biosphere reserve: A study on antioxidant activity

Author(s): S.K.Rath, J.K.Patra, Manini P.Kanji, H.N.Thatoi, S.K.Dutta

The free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extracts of three medicinal plant species (Saraca indica, Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus) were assayed byDPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay at concentrations 50, 75 and 100g/ml with a view to assess the antioxidant properties of the medicinal plants. The DPPH activities of all plant species increased with the increase in concentrations.While aqueous extract of S. indica bark showed significantly higher DPPH activity, A. racemosus and W. somnifera showed comparatively moderate activity at all concentrations. Results revealed the presence of antioxidant properties borne by the different plant parts in different amounts which has got promising future prospect for their use in pharmaceutics for replacement of synthetic antioxidants.