Abstract

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA BERTONI

Rashmi Arnold*

Abstract

In the modern word it has been realized the herbal drugs strengthensthe body system specifically and selectively without side effects. Freeradicals are generated through normal metabolism of drugs,environmental chemicals and other xenobiotics as well as endogenouschemicals, especially stress hormones (adrenalin and noradrenalin).Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, belonging to the family Asteraceae, is aperennial sweet herb. It is a native medicinal plant of Paraguay and isa new alternative source of calorie-free sweetener having nocarbohydrates. From the observed results of antioxidant studyfollowing different methods it can be concluded that 80% ethanol extract and its 1-butanoland water soluble fractions, and hot methanol and water extract of Stevia rebaudiana leavespossess significant antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana, Antioxidant activity, Methanolic and Ethanolic extracts etc.