In-vitro antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate extract of gum guggul (Commiphora mukul)

Abstract

Free radicals are implicated for more than 80 diseases including Diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer, ageing etc. In treatment of theses diseases, antioxidant therapy has gained an utmost importance. Current research is now directed towards finding naturally occurring antioxidant of plant origin. In Indian system of medicine Commiphora mukul is an important medicinal plant its resinous part has been used in various ailments and as health tonic. To understand the mechanisms of pharmacological actions, the in vitro antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract of Commiphora mukul was investigated for reducing power activity and total antioxidant activity. The ethyl acetate extract C. mukul exhibited good reducing power activity at higher concentration, which was measured at 700 nm. Gallic acid was used as standard antioxidant. Total antioxidant activity was determined by thiocyanate method, which was measured at 500 nm. -tocopherol was used as standard, the standard, showed 76.38 % inhibition at 500 μg/ml concentration while C.mukul extract showed 51.16 % inhibition at the same concentration. In these testing, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of the extract and percentage inhibition of free radicals and reducing power. The antioxidant property may be related to the antioxidant vitamins, phenolic acids and micronutrients present in the extract. These results clearly indicate that Commiphora mukul is effective against free radical mediated diseases