Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content of Some Nepalese Medicinal Plants

Bijaya Laxmi Maharjan,Bikash Baral

doi:10.4236/ajps.2013.48200

Bijaya Laxmi Maharjan, Bikash Baral

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2013.48200

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Abstract

Antioxidant capacities and phenolic contents of medicinal plants namely Usnea longifolia, Cetraria nepalensis, Parmelia minarum, Everniastrum nepalense, Rhododendron anthopogon and Fritillaria delavayi were analyzed via Folin-Ciocaltau assay, Ferric reducing activity power assay and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. All the tested plants depicted the antioxidant activity with variation in extent of activity among the plants. The FRAP (F-value: 387.4), DPPH (F-value: 89.684) and TPC (F-value: 559.163) values between the extracts showed the highly significant differences (P R. anthopogon among the plants tested.

Highlights

The world populations, mainly of the developing countries (70% - 95%) rely primarily on traditional medicine for their healthcare [1]
Antioxidant capacities and phenolic contents of medicinal plants namely Usnea longifolia, Cetraria nepalensis, Parmelia minarum, Everniastrum nepalense, Rhododendron anthopogon and Fritillaria delavayi were analyzed via FolinCiocaltau assay, Ferric reducing activity power assay and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay
This study indicated the strong antioxidant potential of R. anthopogon among the plants tested

Summary

Introduction

The world populations, mainly of the developing countries (70% - 95%) rely primarily on traditional medicine for their healthcare [1]. In Nepal, >85% of total populations are benefited from Ayurveda, a traditional medicinal system. There is an increased global commercial interest in the use of these plant species for their proposed health benefits. The reactive oxygen species may cause severe oxidative stress if accumulated within body in excess amount. This may further enhance the risk in building several disorders in humans viz., cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, pulmonary diseases and ageing [3,4]

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