Abstract

Ethanol and chloroform extracts of four Indian medicinal plants were subjected to analysis of antioxidant activity. Plants used for analysis are Grewia asiatica L., Caesalpinia bonducella L., Syzigium samarangense (Blume), Asteracantha lonfigolia L. The assays employed for the analysis were reducing power assay and scavenging effects on DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide radical, nitric oxide radical. The results obtained indicate that the antioxidant potential varied significantly from plant to plant and extract to extract. Concentrations at 50% inhibition (IC50 values) were obtained for each extract in all performed assays. The total phenolic contents of plant extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. From the results, seeds of A. longifolia were found to possess good antioxidant activity amongst four medicinal plants.