Exploration of antioxidant efficacy of the methanol extract of leaves of coccinia grandis [L.] voigt. [family: cucurbitaceae] with some selective in vitro and ex vivo models

ABSTRACT

Coccinia grandis [L.] Voigt. [Family Cucurbitaceae] is a climbing perennial herb distributed almost all over the world. The plant has ethnomedicinal significance to heal diabetes, inflammation, fever, pain, spasm and different infections. The intention of the present study is to explore the antioxidant activity of methanol extract of leaves of Coccinia grandis with the help of some selective in vitro and ex vivo models. The antioxidant activity was evaluated based on super oxide scavenging, RBC membrane stabilizing and inhibition of lipid peroxidation models. Super oxide scavenging activity was measured by in vitro assay methods employing both nitro blue tetrazolium chloride and alkaline dimethyl sulphoxide models. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation was measured by ex vivo assay method using FeSO4 and CCI4 induced lipid peroxidation models. Red Blood Cells membrane stabilization activity was measured on human blood RBC. The experimental data were compared with that of standard antioxidant like ascorbic acid and a-tocopherol acetate. All observed results indicated methanol extract of leaves of Coccinia grandis to possess antioxidant activity in a concentration dependant manner and very much comparable to that of selected standard drugs