Abstract

IN VITRO ANTI OXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CHROMATOGRAPHICALLY SEPARATED FRACTIONS FROM MENTHA SPICATA L. LEAVES

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

ABSTRACT

Anti-oxidant activity of Mentha spicata Linn. (M. spicata L.), an herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant possessing several pharmacological properties, is known in literature. We have also found in vitro anti-oxidant activity of M. spicata L. leaves of this region. An attempt was, therefore, made to isolated the active compound from the leaves of M. spicata L. responsible for anti-oxidant activity. During isolation process in chromatographic experiments number of fractions were separated. In vitro anti-oxidant activity of those separated fractions was studied. Anti-oxidant activity was measured by superoxide anion generation with the help of xanthine-xanthine assay, linoleic acid peroxidation assay and DPPH photometric assay. Total phenol, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and carotenoid contents in the Separated fractions were also determined. Out of seven fractions separated, only one fraction had anti-oxidant activity. Anti-oxidant activity was related with high content of total phenol, flavonoid and ascorbic acid in the fraction.

Keywords: Mentha spicata Linn, chromatographic separation, anti-oxidant activity, total phenol, flavonoid, ascorbic acid.