Abstract

EFFECT OF EXTRACTION SOLVENTS ON IN VITRO ANTI OXIDANT ACTIVITY OF MENTHA SPICATA L. LEAVES

Prasenjit Mitra, Tanaya Ghosh and Dr. Prasanta Kumar Mitra*

ABSTRACT

Mentha spicata Linn. (M. spicata L.), an herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant, has several pharmacological activities including antioxidant activity. As biological activity of a plant varies with nature of extraction solvents, we intended to study effect of extraction solvents on in vitro anti-oxidant activity of M. spicata l. leaves. Solvents like ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, acetone, chloroform, petroleum ether were used for extraction of the plant leaves and in vitro antioxidant activity of the extracts was checked by superoxide anion generation with the help of xanthine-xanthine oxidase assay and with linoleic acid peroxidation assay as well as DPPH photometric assay. Total phenol, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and carotenoids contents of the isolated compound from the extract were also estimated. Results showed that Ethanol extract of the leaves had maximum in vitro anti-oxidant activity.

Keywords: Mentha. spicata Linn. leaves, extraction solvents, anti-oxidant activity.