Abstract

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF NYMPHAEA RUBRA L. RHIZOME

Edison Dalmeida Daffodil and Veerabahu Ramasamy Mohan*

Abstract

The in vitro antioxidant capabilities of methanol extract of Nymphaearubra rhizome was evaluated by studying 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radicalscavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, ABTSradical cation scavenging activity and reducing power using standardprocedure. Total phenolic content was estimated by folin-ciocalteaumethod. Flavonoid was determined by Aluminium chloride method.The total phenolics and flavonoids in methanol extract were found tobe 0.36 g 100g-1 and 0.67 g 100g-1 respectively. The methanol extractof rhizome showed potent in vitro antioxidant activities. Amongdifferent concentration tested, methanol extract of N. rubra rhizome at1000 μg/mL showed potent scavenging activity in all models viz,DPPH, hydroxyl radical, superoxide and ABTS. The result clearlyIndicates that, methanol extract of N. rubra rhizome is effective in scavenging free radicalsand has the potential to be a powerful antioxidant.

Keywords: Nymphaea rubra, flavonoid, ABTS, reducing power.