Scrutinizing the antioxidant potential of Prunella vulgaris L. : A medicinal plant from central Himalayan region

Background & Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Prunella vulgaris , a valuable medicinal plant from Central Himalayans . Methods: This was achieved by screening of the plant extracts at varying concentrations (1-70µg/ml), using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power assay superoxide radical scavenging activity, metal chelating activity, and analysis of total antioxidant activity by ABTS method. Results: Total phenol and flavonoid contents (17.200±0.306 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight and 3.920±0.042 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight) were found respectively. Scavenging effect of methanolic extracts of P. vulgaris was four times greater than that of the synthetic antioxidant ascorbic acid. Conclusion: Results also suggests a close relationship between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, reducing power and radical scavenging effect on DPPH radicals, which proves P. vulgaris is a potential source of useful natural antioxidants.