IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF BLUE GREEN ALGAE SPIRULINA PLATENSIS

摘要

The free radical scavenging potential of blue green algae spirulina platensis (Oscillatoriaceae) was studied by different antioxidant models. Free radicals are implicated for more than 80 diseases including Diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer, ageing etc. In the treatment of theses diseases, antioxidant therapy has gained an utmost importance. Current research is directed towards finding naturally occurring antioxidant of plant origin. In Indian system of medicine, blue green algae spirulina platensis is an important medicinal plant and it has been used in various ailments and as health tonic. To understand the mechanisms of pharmacological actions, the in vitro antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of spirulina platensis was investigated for the activity of scavenging DPPH radical, nitric oxide radical. In all the testing, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of the extract and percentage inhibition of free radicals. These results clearly indicate that blue green algae spirulina platensis is effective against free radical mediated diseases. The data suggests that the extract contains compounds may be effectively utilized as a wide spectrum of antioxidant agent