Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Twelve Traditionally Used Indian Medicinal Plants

The methanolic crude extracts of 12 traditionally used Indian medicinal plants were screened for their antioxidant andfree radical scavenging properties using a-tocopherol and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) as standard antioxidants. Antioxidant activity was measured by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) assay and compared with the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The overall antioxidant activity of Lawsonia inermiswas the strongest, followed in descending order by Ocimum sanctum, Cichorium intybus, Piper cubeba, Punica granatum, Alliumsativum, Delonix regia, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, Mangifera indica, Camellia sinensis, and Trigonella foenum-graecum.Seven plants, namely Terminalia chebula, Mangifera indica, Terminalia bellerica, Punica granatum, Ocimum sanctum, Cichoriuminty bus, and Camellia sinensis, showed strong free radical scavenging activity with the DPPH method. Phytochemical analysis of plant extracts indicated the presence of major phyto compounds, including phenolics, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and tannins. Thephenolic concentrations in the above plants ranged from 28.66 to 169.67 mg/g of dry plant extract. A fair correlation between antioxidant/free radical scavenging activity and phenolic content was observed among 9 plants; however, in 3 plants (Piper cubeba,Lawsonia inermis and Trigonella foenum-graecum), no such relationship was observed. The tested plant extracts showed promising antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, thus justifying their traditional use.