Antioxidant activity of five Brazilian plants used

Allana K.L. Santos; José G. M. Costa; Irwin R. A. Menezes; Isaac F Cansanção; Karla K. A. Santos; Edinardo F. F. Matias; Henrique D. M. Coutinho

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Magazine,2010,6,24,335-338.

DOI:10.4103/0973-1296.71789

Published:October 2010

Type:Original Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Allana K.L. Santos¹, José G. M. Costa¹, Irwin R. A. Menezes², Isaac F Cansanção³, Karla K. A. Santos⁴, Edinardo F. F. Matias⁴, Henrique D. M. Coutinho⁴
¹Laboratory of Research on Natural Products, University of Region of Cariri, Crato (CE), Brazil
²Laboratory of Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Region of Cariri, Crato (CE), Brazil
³College of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Barbalha (CE), Brazil
⁴Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Region of Cariri, Crato (CE), Brazil

Abstract:

Background: This study evaluates the radical-scavenging activity of five plants used as food and medicines in the northeastern region of Brazil. Materials and Methods: Spectrophotometric analysis of the plants' ethanol extracts was carried out. The antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl) test. The antioxidant capacity was measured using ascorbic acid as a positive control. Results: All tested plant extracts showed an antioxidant activity, but the highest activity was observed with the extracts of Momordica charantia and Eugenia jambolana. Conclusions: Therefore, these species must be studied as a putative source of products for use in the prevention and treatment of diseases in which oxidants or free radicals are implicated.