Abstract
Aim: The present study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant activities of the leaves, fruits and peel extracts of Citrus aurantium, Citrus limetta and Citrus limon belonging to the family Rutaceae. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activities of the hydroethanolic extracts have been evaluated by using different in vitro assays and the results were compared with the standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ascorbic acid, curcumin, quercetin, etc. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in these extracts were determined as pyrocatechol and quercetin equivalents respectively. Among the extracts assayed, 4 extracts (leaf and peel extracts of C.aurantium , peel and fruit extracts of C.limetta ) had effective H donor ability, reducing power ability, metal chelating activity, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities. The antioxidant activity depends upon concentration and increased with increasing amount of the extracts. The free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities may be attributed to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in the extracts. Result: The results obtained in the present study indicate that the leaves, fruits and peel of Citrus aurantium, Citrus limetta and Citrus limon serve as the potential source of natural antioxidants. Keywords: Antioxidant; Citrus aurantium; Citrus limetta; Citrus limon; free radical; Rutaceae.
Highlights
The ability to utilize oxygen has provided humans with the benefit of metabolizing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for energy; it does not come without cost
The scavenging effect of extracts on superoxide radical increased in order with IC50: C.limetta peel (114.83±1.48 μg/ml) > C.aurantium peel (137.08±1.47 μg/ml) > C.limon peel (162.5±1.44 μg/ml) > C.limetta fruit (178.50±0.76 μg/ml) > C.aurantium fruit (223.16±0.44 μg/ml) > C.limon fruit (258.83±1.09 μg/ml) > C.aurantium leaf (332.83±1.04 μg/ml). 3.2 Hydroxyl radical scavenging ability: Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was quantified by measuring the inhibition of the degradation of deoxyribose by the free radicals generated by the Fenton reaction
The scavenging effect of extracts on the hydroxyl radical increased in order with IC50: C.limetta peel (25.50±1.60 μg/ml) > C.aurantium peel (31.50±1.04 μg/ml) > C.limon peel (45.56±1.22 μg/ml) > C.limetta fruit (52.50±1.75 μg/ml) > C.aurantium fruit (64.80±0.75 μg/ml) > C.limon fruit (72.16±1.74 μg/ml) > C.aurantium leaf (96.76±0.95 μg/ml). 3.3 DPPH radical scavenging activity: DPPH can be used to determine the free radical scavenging activity as it forms a stable molecule on accepting an electron or hydrogen atom 36
Summary
The ability to utilize oxygen has provided humans with the benefit of metabolizing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for energy; it does not come without cost. Free radical formation is controlled naturally by various beneficial compounds known as antioxidants. It is when the availability of antioxidants are limited that this damage can become cumulative and debilitating. Antioxidants are capable of stabilizing, or deactivating, free radicals before they attack cells. Free radicals may cause reversible or Muthiah et al/2012 irreversible damages to biological molecules such as DNA, proteins and/or lipids 4, 5. These damages may cause cancer, heart diseases, artherosclerosis, hypertension, arthritis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease) and could accelerate aging of organisms[6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
