Evaluation of antioxidant activity of four folk antidiabetic medicinal plants of India

Summary Total antioxidant capacity of four folk antidiabetic medicinal plants of India was assessed for aqueous and methanolic extract. The total antioxidant activity of aqueous and methanolic extract was determined by ferric reducing power (FRAP) assay, measuring Fe 3+ / ferricyanide, using phosphomolybdenum complex and by DPPH radical scavenging activity. Quantitative estimation of total phenolic compound was achieved using Folin-Ciocalteu assay. In general, methanolic extracts were showing better antioxidant activity than aqueous extracts. Highest phenolic content (41.35mg GAE/g) was reported from methanolic extract of Momordica charantia, apart from this same extract was able to show highest FRAP value (86.19 mM Fe(II)/g dry weight), reducing power, total antioxidant activity (67.68 mg BHT/g dry weight) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (87%, IC50 0.64mg/ml).