Radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of ethylacetate fraction of Plectranthus aromaticus leaves

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Free radical damages have been implicated for more than hundred diseases including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer, ageing etc. In treatment of these diseases, antioxidant therapy has gained an utmost importance. Current research is now directed towards finding of naturally occurring antioxidant of plant origin. In Indian system of medicine Plectranthus aromaticus is an important medicinal plant and its leaves are often eaten raw with bread and butter, and decoction of its leaves is administered in the cases of chronic cough and asthma. To understand the pharmacological actions, in vitro antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate fraction of P. aromaticus was investigated for scavenging super oxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, metal chelation and total antioxidant power. The fraction was also studied for lipid peroxidation assay using sheep liver homogenate. In all these tests, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of extract and percentage of inhibition of free radicals, metal chelation, total antioxidant power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Free radicals; antioxidant therapy; Plectranthus aromaticus; lipid peroxidation