ABSTRACT:
Abstract: Free radicals are capable of damaging molecules in cell membrane, mitochondria, DNA etc. Cell damage caused by free radicals appears to be a major contributor to aging and degenerative disease such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataract, liver diseases, diabetes mellitus, inflammation, renal failure, etc. Naturally there is a dynamic equilibrium between the free radicals produced in the body and antioxidants that scavenge them to protect the body against deleterious effects. The amount of antioxidants present under normal physiological conditions may be insufficient to neutralize free radicals generated. Therefore recently, natural plants have received much attention as sources of biological active substances including antioxidants. In this study, the antioxidant activity of 70% methanolic extract of roots of Hemidesmus indicus (MEHI) was studied by using various in vitro assays. Hemidesmus indicus (Family: Asclepiadacea) is commonly known Indian Medicinal Plant which is widely recognised in traditional systems of medicine. It contains various phytoconstituents belonging to the category glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and volatile oils. Hemidesmus indicus has been reported as useful in blood disease, dysentery, skin diseases, and asthma. The antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of roots of Hemidesmus indicus was evaluated by using the free radical scavenging activity assay (DPPH method), reducing power assay, nitric oxide scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and H2O2 scavenging activity. The result of the study shows that methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus possesses significant free radical scavenging properties.