Evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of various extracts of leaves from Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn.

The present study was aimed to investigate the in vitro free radical scavenging activity of various leaf extracts (aqueous, methanol, acetone chloroform and petroleum ether) of Kedrostis foetidissima. In vitro free radical scavenging activities of the extracts were assessed against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. The metal chelating activity and reducing power ability of the extracts were also determined. The free radical scavenging activity was found to be high in methanolic extract for DPPH and hydroxyl radicals in a concentration dependent manner followed by chloroform, aqueous, acetone and petroleum ether extracts. The metal chelating activity and reducing power ability was also found to be high in methanolic extract. The difference in scavenging potential of the extracts may be due to variation in the percentage of phytoconstituents extracted in various solvents. Thus the result suggests that the methanolic leaf extract of K. foetidissima could serve as a potential source of antioxidants and can be explored as a therapeutic agent in free radical induced diseases.