Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential and Radical Scavenging Activity of Organic and Inorganic Fractions of Cucumis melo

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to study in vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging capacity of Cucumis melo components which are effective against different diseases like cardiovascular and kidney disorders. These are the conventionally used herbs against degenerative diseases so it is an important task to assess their antioxidant potential. Extraction of herb was carried out in aqueous as well as in different organic solvents. Antioxidant potential and radical scavenging activity of seven fractions were investigated by using different antioxidant assays like {2,2'- azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)} (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic contents (TPC) and diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) of the aqueous and organic fraction of these herbs was determined by calculating the percentage inhibition of the coloured radical solution after reaction with sample and standard antioxidants by comparing with the standard curve formed by Trolox. Cucumis melo showed a wide range of antioxidant activity. Using FRAP assay, TEAC values of from 0.986-1.293 μM and in case of ABTS assay in buffer medium, TEAC values ranged from 0.107-0.691 μM which indicate the presence of many phenolic components in its composition. On the basis of such antidisease activity of this herb attributes the presence of antioxidant components.