Antioxidant Studies on Various Fractions of Methanol Extract of Terminalia bellerica Robx

Abstract

Potential in vitro antioxidant activities of various fractions of crude methanol extract of Terminalia bellerica Roxb. fruits were evaluated using1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2'- azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+) radical cation inhibition and antilipid peroxidation assays. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was also assessed. Results showed that ethyl acetate fraction (IC50, 3.09 μg/mL) possess potent DPPH radical scavenging activity, which was better than crude methanol extract (IC50, 7.72 μg/mL) and reference antioxidant, Trolox (IC50, 6.17 μg/mL). It showed better ABTS+ inhibition potential (IC50, 1.18 μg/mL) than crude extract (IC50, 2.27 μg/mL) and Trolox (IC50, 3.86 μg/mL). Highest antioxidant activity, as measured by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation was also offered by ethyl acetate fraction (IC50, 0.78 mg/mL). Maximum amounts of total phenolics and flavonoids were found in ethyl acetate fraction which correlates well with its antioxidant activity.