IN VITRO RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF CEPHALANDRA INDICA

M. Duraisankar* and V. Ravichandiran

ABSTRACT

Cephalandra indica (Bimba, kanduri, Cucurbitaceae) is famous for its hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic Properties in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Other applications include the therapy of various conditions such as skin diseases and gonorrhoea. There are many patented formulations derived from Cephalandra indica. Which are now distributed increasingly all over the world this has given rise to a concomitant increase in research on the phytochemical constituents and biological activity of C. indica. Plants produce a diverse range of bioactive molecules, making them a rich source of different types of medicines. In the present study, we examined the anti-oxidant effects of root of Cephalandra indica. Dried and powdered root of C.indica were extracted with Ethyl acetate, n-butanol and methanol. Antioxidant assays were carried out by using different in vitro models such as, DPPH radical scavenging activity. The EC50 values of different extract for DPPH radical scavenging activity was found. In DPPH radical scavenging assay the IC50 value of the ethyl acetate extract was found to be 330μg/mL while β - carotene had the IC50 value 220 μg/ml. Moreover C.indica Extract showed strong reducing power and total antioxidant capacity. The anti-oxidant activities of other solvent extracts were poor when compared to the Ethyl acetate extract. These results suggest that, the active antioxidant compounds are better extracted in Ethyl acetate and there is a direct correlation between the flavonoid glycoside and its anti-oxidant activity.

Keywords: Medicinal plant; Cephalandra indica, solvent extracts; anti-oxidant activity.