Study of In-vitro Antioxidant Activity and Brine Shrimp lethality Bioassay of different Parts of three Cassia Species

摘要

Free radicals are toxic byproducts of natural cellmetabolism and are responsible for causing a wide number of healthproblems. The use and search of drugs or dietary supplements fromplants with antioxidant activity (antioxidants are known as reducingagents) are in great demand. Cassia Linn. (Family-Caesalpiniaceae)are well known in Indian system of medicine for their cathartic,antiparasitic character, anti-helminthic, antifungal, antimicrobial,anti-inflammatory property etc. In the present study, crude aqueousand hydro-alcoholic extracts of different parts (stem, leaves, podsand flower) of Cassia alata, Cassia fistula and Cassia tora were usedfor In-vitro antioxidant activity and Brine Shrimp lethality assay soas to evaluate their potential medicinal importance. The antioxidantactivity of different parts of three species were evaluated by using sixmethods. The comparative study by using various assays revealedthat, both the extracts (aqueous and hydro-alcohol) of Cassia alatawere shown satisfactory results than the extracts of remainingselected Cassia plants. Total Polyphenols and flavonoid contentsequivalent to cathechol (100μg/ml) and quercetin (100μg/ml)respectively were found higher in hydro-alcohol extracts. Thedifferent parts of these plants were further taken for toxicityassessment by the Brine Shrimp lethality assay. The extent of toxicityof the plant extracts were determined based on percentage mortality.The above studies indicated that antioxidant activity and toxicityassay of crude extracts of selected Cassia plants may help in itsformulation for new pharmaceutical drug.