EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOID AND PHENOLIC CONTENTS OF LUFFA ECHINATA ROXB. FRUITS AND NYCTANTHUS ARBOR-TRISTIS LEAVES

Objective: To obtain a systematic record of the relative antioxidant activity of flavonoid and phenolic contents of Luffa echinata Roxb fruit and Nyctanthus arbor-tristis leaves extracts. Methods: Phenolic and flavonoid content were determined by using gallic acid and quercetin as standard, antioxidant properties were evaluated by the methods, namely the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC), Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) Assay and DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay. Results: Total phenolic content were found 76.34 ±0.44 and 45.53 ±0.65 mg/g, while flavonoid contents were found 65.98 ±0.83 and 34.92 ±0.76 mg/g in Luffa echinata Roxb and Nyctanthus arbor-tristis respectively. In the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay, TEAC value were found 0.34 mmole/g and 0.28 mmole/g, while in Oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, ORAC value was found 253.7m moles TE #/ g and 221.6 m moles TE #/ g, where as DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay showed IC50 value 188 ±0.87 and 176 ±0.68 for Luffa echinata Roxb and Nyctanthus arbor-tristis extracts. Conclusion: The present studies suggest that both the plants have moderate to potent antioxidant activity.