Antioxidant Activity of Indian Medicinal Plants

In oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide (O₂* -, OOH*), hydroxyl (OH*) and peroxyl (ROO*) radicals are generated. The ROS play an important role in several human diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, cataracts and inflammation . The present paper deals with a preliminary screening of herbal edible plants; Chillies (Capsicum annum), curry leaves (Murrya kaneigi), ginger (Zingiber officinals), sacred basil or Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), fennel seeds or Sompu (Foeniculum vulgare) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa). Several ethanobotanical uses have been described like antidiabetic, antiulcer, antitumor, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and other activities to these plants. The antioxidant activity was further confirmed by diene-triene-tetrane conjugation for different plant extracts as a sensitive index of lipid peroxidation.The different plant extracts were observed to inhibit dienetriene- tetrane conjugation. Turmeric extract was shown to inhibit conjugation at all stages effectively than other extracts and the inhibition was comparable to standards BHA and curcumin.