Author: Iram Fatima, Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Rafay, Muhammad Akram, Sabahat Bano, Sammia Shabbir
Publishing Date: 2017
E-ISSN: 1011-601X
Volume 30 Issue 5
ABSTRACT:
Antioxidants acts as a defense mechanism that protects against oxidative damage caused by free radicals produced in the body. Medicinal plants are preferably used for various diseases in many countries. The studies were conducted to determine the antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic leaves and fruits extracts of Physalis minima, Withania somnifera, Datura inoxia, Solanum nigrum and Kigelia africana by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Quercetin was used as a standard antioxidant which shows 93.66% inhibition. Among the five selected plant species, the percentage of antioxidant activity of leaves extracts was found in order: P. minima > W. somnifera > S. nigrum > K. africana > D. inoxia and fruits extracts was in order: W. somnifera ≥ D. inoxia > P. minima > K. africana > S. nigrum respectively.
Keywords: Antioxidant activity, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), quercetin, ethanolic leaves and fruit extracts.