Free Radical Scavenging Activity on Leaves of Bacopa Monnieri
Ujwala K.Wasnik India
Abstract:
Stress, smoking, drugs and diet generates excessive free radicals in the human body. However there are defense mechanisms, which scavenge the free radicals and protect the body from attack of free radicals. These free radicals are important factors for several pathological conditions. Antioxidants act as a major defense against radical mediated toxicity by protecting the damages caused by free radicals.
Leaves of Bacopa monnieri, (Family-Scrophulariaceae) was procured from Mumbai and authenticated at Nicholus Piramel Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, India. Drug was extracted individually with alcohol and water by using Soxhlet extraction apparatus for 18 hours. All the two extracts were evaluated for the presence / absence of various phytoconstituents. Ascorbic acid used as a standard for both methods. The present paper includes free radical scavenging activity by the following methods.
DPPH method: The decrease in absorbance of DPPH is proportional to concentration of free radical scavenger added to DPPH reagent solution. A linear increase in %inhibition was observed between a concentration range of 2-30ug and absorbance was taken at 517nm.
Griess reagent method: The decrease in absorbance of Griess reagent is proportional to concentration of free radical scavenger added to Griess reagent solution. A linear increase in % inhibition was observed between a concentration range of 2-40ug and absorbance was taken at 540nm.
