Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity of Acrostichum aureum Linn. Rachis

Abstract

Acrostichum aureum Linn is a medicinal fern collected from Puthalam, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India. This plant is used by the local people for curing pharyngitis, chest pain and diabetics. Hence, in the present study, petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol extracts of the rachis of A. aureum have been tested for antioxidant activity by using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, antioxidant activity by radial cation (ABTS•+) and reducing power assays. The antioxidant potential is dose dependent in all the assays carried out. It is concluded that the A. aureum can be used as a medicine against free radical associated oxidative damage.