ABSTRACT
Background: Newer drug research worldwide is now focusing on medicinal plants for ensuring health and vitality due to the seemingly safer side effect profile and abundance of plants in nature, compared to synthetic drugs. Antioxidants are vital in preventing free radical induced tissue damage. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Carica papaya using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH). Phytochemical tests proved the presence of bioactive ingredients in the extract.Methods: DPPH free radical assay, one of the most accurate methods for evaluating antioxidant activity, was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of leaves of C. papaya.Results: The methanolic leaf extract of C. papaya showed antioxidant property with free radical scavenging activity increasing with increase in concentration. The IC50 value of methanolic extract was 213.68 礸m/ml. Ascorbic acid was used as control.Conclusions: Oxidative stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, immune deficiency. Antioxidants as suggested from various studies may reduce the risk of such diseases. The utility of C. papaya in the treatment of heart disease, cancer and immune deficiency will have to be proved by detailed evaluation of its pharmacological properties.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cassia fistula Linn is a plant which is widely grown in India and is used for medicinal purposes. The study was carried out with an objective to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of leaves of Cassia fistula Linn. The aim of the study is to assess antibacterial and antifungal activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cassia fistula Linn against selected clinical isolates.Methods: The antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of Cassia fistula was evaluated using agar well diffusion method and to zone of inhibition of extract was determined. Clinical isolates of Staphyloccocus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli and Proteus were screened.Results: The methanolic extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The extract was not active against E. coli, Proteus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extract also failed to demonstrate antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.Conclusions: The global emergence of multidrug resistant bacterial strains is increasing, limiting the effectiveness of current drugs and treatment failure of infections. A novel approach to the prevention of antibiotic resistance of pathogenic species is the use of new compounds that are not based on existing synthetic antimicrobial agents.
ABSTRACT
Background: The use of medicinal plants for maintaining good health is getting attention worldwide. Antioxidants play an important role to protect damage caused by oxidative stress. In the present study methanolic extracts of Cassia fistula was determined using DPPH for its antioxidant activity. Phytochemical investigation confirmed the presence of bioactive ingredients in the extract.Methods: The antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Cassia fistula was evaluated using DPPH free radical assay. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyine) free radical analysis is one of the accurate and frequently employed method for evaluating antioxidant activity.Results: The methanolic extracts showed increase in radical scavenging activity as concentration increases. The IC50 values were calculated for the methanolic extract. Ascorbic acid was used as control. Cassia fistula exhibited IC 50 of 79.42µg/ml.Conclusions: Scientific evidence suggests that antioxidants reduce the risk for chronic diseases including cancer and heart disease and infectious diseases. Further evaluation of pharmacological activities of Cassia fistula may prove useful in treatment of cancer and heart diseases.