Abstract

STUDIES ON NITRIC OXIDE AND HYDROXYL RADICAL SCAVENGING ABILITIES OF ALOE VERA L. (IN VIVO & IN VITRO REGENERATED) WHOLE LEAF AND INNER GEL EXTRACTS

Neelofar Khanam* and G. K. Sharma

ABSTRACT

The production of oxygen free radicals is a natural consequence of aerobic metabolism. Any free radical involving oxygen can be referred to as Reactive Oxygen Species or ROS. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are necessary for various physiological functions but an imbalance in favour of reactive oxygen species results in oxidative stress (OS). Most atoms and molecules remain reasonably stable when placed in contact with living cells. However, free radicals are group of particles that are considered to be less benign. Free radicals are unstable, highly reactive molecules characterised by the presence of unpaired electrons in their outermost shells around the nucleus. Recently, natural foods and derived antioxidants such as vitamins and phenol phytochemicals have received growing attention. This is because they are known to function as chemo preventive agents against oxidative damage. In present investigation nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging potentials of in vivo grown and in vitro propagatedAloe vera L. whole leaf and only gel extracts were studied. Results were showing that among the various extracts (Prepared with the solvents of different polarities such as aqueous, methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane) of in vivo and in vitro regenerated Aloe vera L. whole leaf and only gel, methanol extracts with in vitro regenerated Aloe vera L. leaves (only gel extract followed by whole leaf extract) were showing maximum free radical scavenging properties.

Keywords: Aloe vera L., free radicals, Reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical.