Comparison of antioxidant activity of some medicinally important plants from Pakistan

Abstract

Background. Chemical composition and medicinal potential of Centella asiatica (C. asiatica), Cedrus deo- dara (C. deodara) and Artemisia persica (A. persica) prompts the need to investigate antioxidant attributes of these species as alternative source of natural antioxidants. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of methanolic extracts of these plants towards stabilization of sunfl ower oil as oxidation substrate. Material and methods. Total phenolic and total fl avonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, peroxide value, iodine value, conjugated dienes, trienes and P-anisidine value were determined by recom- mended methods of AOCS. Results. It was observed that all the plant extracts possessed antioxidant activity, but generalized statement was in favour of Centella asiatica. DPPH scavenging activity of Centella asiatica extract was just like BHT emphasising the antioxidant potential of Centella asiatica in fats and oil containing foods. Conclusion. Centella asiatica extracts can be explored as a source for antioxidant components for food pres- ervation. However, further studies may be carried out to isolate and identify more specifi c natural and safe antioxidants by combining various analytical techniques.