IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF EMBELIA RIBES FRUIT EXTRACTS

Abstract

mbelia ribes fruits are rich in alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The phenolic and flavanoid contents in the fruit are estimated by Total phenolic content (TPC) and Total flavanoid content (TFC) assays. It is observed that Embelia ribes gives positive qualitative tests for phenolic , flavanoid and alkaloids. The flavonoid content and the total antioxidant activity of Embelia ribes fruit extracts were 31.9±1.69 and 189±10.64 respectively. These phytochemicals are responsible for the antioxidant activity of the alcoholic extract of Embelia ribes fruits. In vitro antioxidant activity of Embelia ribes fruit is further proved by its capacity to scavange DPPH free radical, superoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxides. The Embelia ribes fruit extracts is able to inhibit lipid peroxidation and scavange hydroxyl radicals very effectively compared to the natural antioxidant, ascorbic acid and rutin (flavonoid).