ABSTRACT
Herbal plants produce a diverse range of bioactive molecules, making them a rich source of different types of medicines. Thus, a proper scientific evidence or assessment has become the criteria for acceptance of herbal health claims. In the present study, the antioxidant effect of the traditional Ayurvedic formulation Giloy Satva (Tinospora cordifolia linn. known as Guduchi) and hydro alcoholic extract of the plant Curculigo orchioides linn. (Kali Musali) were examined. The present study was concentrated on the in vitro antioxidant methods where traditional formulation and hydro alcoholic extract screened for DPPH free radical scavenging activity, total reducing power assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity assay. The results revealed potent scavenging activity when compared with standard. The plant extracts and formulation further phytochemically screened with thin layer chromatographic analysis indicating presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins and some amount of phytosterols. These active constituents alone or in combination may be responsible for the observed antioxidant activity. The findings indicated promising antioxidant activity of crude extracts needs further exploration for their effective use in both modern and traditional system of medicines.