Antioxidant and DNA Damage Preventive Properties of Centella asiatica (L) Urb.

Centella asiatica (L.) (Apiaceae) is commonly known as Mandukaparni. It is distributed in South America and all around Asia. It is a well known medicinal plant in Ayurveda system of medicine being used for various ailments like inflammation, diarrhea, asthma, tuberculosis, depression, memory loss and psoriasis. The aim of the present study was to assess the antioxidant potential in vitro of extracts of Centella asiatica in different solvents like hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and water. Highest polyphenols content was found in chloroform extract followed by methanol extract (9.04 µg/mg, 7.7 µg/mg gallic acid equivalents) and flavonoid content was found to be highest in water followed by chloroform extract (2.19 µg/g, 2.00 µg/g) respectively. The IC50 value of the DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of methanol extract showed 0.07 mg/ml and 500 µg/ml respectively. Reducing power assay results also followed in the same way. Methanol extract was comparatively effective in preventing more DNA damage. The results obtained in this study clearly indicate that C.asiatica has a significant potential as a natural anti-oxidant and DNA damage preventing agent.