Abstract
Free radicals are generated in the human body as by-products of normal metabolic reaction and body’s defence mechanism. Antioxidants present in the system which includes enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants act as scavengers and protect the normal cells from oxidant mediated damage. There is a delicate balance between the production of free radicals and the antioxidants produced in the system. If this balance is disturbed then oxidative stress results. Furthermore humans are exposed to various oxidative stresses through exposure of chemicals, radiation and other toxic substances in the present century. So, there is need for exogenous supply of antioxidants through natural sources. Plants provide excellent sources of antioxidants which prevent free radical mediated damage. So, in the present study the Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) which is an eukaryotic model organism was exposed to oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide treatment and the ability of the methanolic extract of leaves and rhizomes of Curcuma amada Roxb to combat the oxidative stress was analyzed by various cytotoxicity assays and staining techniques. The results indicated that both the extracts efficiently reduce the oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide treatment in yeast cells. The extract by itself did not induce any toxic effect on the yeast cells.
