EVALUATION OF INVITRO ANTI OXIDANT ACTIVITY ON THREE TRADITIONAL DRUGS

V. E. Ida Christi* and R. Senthamarai

ABSTRACT

Achyranthus aspera Linn, Moringa oleifera Lam and Scopharia dulcis Linn are used in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of many diseases. Achyranthus aspera L (AA) belongs to the family Amaranthaceae, the whole plant and especially the roots, characterized by their uterine stimulant activity, are prescribed in the therapy of rheumatism, contusions, lumbago, osteodynia, dysuria, post-partum haematometra and dysmenorrhoea. There is no doubt that the pure Moringa oleifera L(MO) belongs to the family Moringaceae,this tree leaf is the source of incredible health benefits. It's the ultimate, natural, organic, energy and endurance health supplement. Scopharia dulcis L (SD) belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae, this plant has long held a place in herbal medicine in almost every tropical country where it grows, and it is much used by indigenous peoples. Then the antioxidant activity of the plants were evaluated by DPPH Method, Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, Nitric oxide scavenging activity, Antihemolytic activity, Reducing power determination methods. Three plants were estimated for their total flavonoid contents and total phenols contents. The flavonoids are a heterogeneous group of phenol compound present in the plant world. Many flavonoids, purified from medicinal plants and herbs used in the practice traditional medicine are endowed with biological effects. They include vasoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-microbial, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-osteoporatic and anti-neoplastic. Structural aspects of antioxidant activity of flavonoid and the correlation between active oxygen scavenging and antioxidative effects of flavonoid have been studied. Flavonoids may directly scavenge some radical species by acting as chain breaking antioxidants or they may cycle other chain-breaking antioxidants such as tocopherols by donating a hydrogen atom to tocopherol radical. Transition mineral such as ferric and copper are important pro-oxidants and some flavonoids can chelate divalent metal ions, hence preventing free radical formation. And also vitamin C content present in these plants were estimated quantitatively, Vitamin C is also a good source for antioxidant activity. The plants shows significant effect on Antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Antioxidant, Antihaemolytic, Moringaceae, Scrophulariaceae.