FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OF EXTRACTS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM. USING DPPH ASSAY

Moringa oleifera (Lam.) is one of the best known medicinal plants. The Moringa plant has been consumed by humans. It is one of the richest plant sources of Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K Moringa oleifera has a quality of medicinal value with high nutrition value. The strong antioxidant properties of medicinal plants may improve the capability. Present investigation was mainly focused to significantly verify the antioxidant compounds in different extracts of Moringa oleifera. Total phenols were estimated in methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaf, Un-ripened pods and mature seeds in mg Gallic acid equivalent per gm dwt. were estimated by spectrophotometer. Quantitative evaluation of total flavonoid (mg QE /g DW) present in the extract of plant parts prepared in different solvents was conducted for comparative analysis. The antioxidant activities of different extracts of M. oleifera were estimated, DPPH scavenging activity (%), IC50 (mg/ml) and antioxidant capacity of plant materials were calculated. The results of this investigation revealed that phenol and flavonoid concentrations vary in different parts of the plant. Antioxidant activity was present in all the studied plant parts and had a variable correlation with TP and TF content. A number of other potential antioxidants present in (non-phenolic antioxidants) may have been responsible for its antioxidant activity along with phenols.