IN VITRO AND IN VIVO DETERMINATION OF PHENOLIC CONTENTS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF DESERT PLANTS OF APOCYNACEAE FAMILY

摘要

Antioxidants are compounds that can stop the oxidation of lipids and other molecules by inhibiting the initiation or propagation of oxidizing chain reactions, which can thus prevent damage done to the body's cells by oxygen. It plays an important role in protection against disorders caused by oxidation damage. The methanolic, ethanolic, acetone and aqueous crude extracts of Nerium oleander and Thevetia peruviana were screened for their free radical scavenging properties using ascorbic acid as standard antioxidant. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using di (phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) iminoazanium (DPPH) assay. The maximum amount of polyphenolic content was also observed in Nerium oleander (48.94 mg/100gm), while lower amount was recorded in aqueous extract of callus (223.71mg/100gm). However, polyphenol was higher in the methanol extract of Thevetia peruviana (32.64 mg/100gm) and lower in aqueous extract of callus (188.14 mg/100gm), respectively. The antioxidant activity in Nerium oleander (48.94±0.41μg/ml) and Thevetia peruviana (32.64±0.06 μg/ml) was found to be maximum in in vitro methanolic extract, respectively. Hence, a positive correlation was found between polyphenolic activity and antioxidant activity in in vitro methanolic extract of both the plant species. The in vitro extraction exhibited more antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content as compared to in vivo extract. Hence, the need exists for safe, economic antioxidants with high activity from natural sources to replace synthetic chemicals.