Abstract

EVALUATION OF IN VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF TEPHROSIA PURPUREA

Gayathri Devi S*, Sabna K A, Mary Shoba Das C

ABSTRACT

Free radicals are created when cells use oxygen to generate energy. Radical scavenging activities are very important due to the deleterious role of free radicals in biological systems. The present study was aimed to investigate the in vitro free radical scavenging activity ofaerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea extracts such as petroleum ether, methanol, ethanol, chloroform, acetone and aqueous. The in vitro free radical scavenging activities of the extracts were assessed against DPPH radicals, inhibition of in vitro lipid peroxidation, superoxide, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radicals. Methanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea contribute a higher DPPH scavenging activity (66 per cent), ethanol 77 per cent and methanol 73 per cent. The inhibition of in vitro lipid peroxidation activity of the extracts was found to be good. Acetone, ethanol and methanol extract of Tephrosia purpurea was found to have significant antiradical effect towards superoxide, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radicals. A strong nitric oxide inhibiting activity was found to be exhibited by ethanol and acetone extracts. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea have great potential of free radical scavenging activity.

Keywords: Tephrosia purpurea, free radical scavenging, DPPH, in vitro lipid peroxidation.