Free radical scavenging effect of various extracts of leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca(L.) Delile by DPPH method

The study of free radicals and antioxidants in biology is producing medical revolution that promises a new age of health and disease management. The present study was performed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant effect of the petroleum ether, alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile (Zygophyllaceae) by using DPPH method. The alcoholic extract exhibited significant inhibition in DPPH free radical formation with IC50 values of 10.7474. The alcoholic extract showed potent activity on DPPH, which is compared to that of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 21.2253) taken as standards. The results of the present comprehensive analysis demonstrated that alcoholic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile is a viable source of natural antioxidants and might be exploited for functional foods and nutraceutical applications