Evaluation of Antioxidant and DNA Damage Protection Activity of the Hydroalcoholic Extract ofDesmostachya bipinnataL. Stapf

Abstract

Desmostachya bipinnataStapf (Poaceae/Gramineae) is an official drug of ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Various parts of this plant were used extensively in traditional and folklore medicine to cure various human ailments. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and DNA damage protection activity of hydroalcoholic extract ofDesmostachya bipinnatabothin vitroandin vivo, to provide scientific basis for traditional usage of this plant. The extract showed significant antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50value of264.18±3.47 μg/mL in H2O2scavenging assay and prevented the oxidative damage to DNA in presence of DNA damaging agent (Fenton’s reagent) at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. Also, the presence of extract protected yeast cells in a dose-dependent manner against DNA damaging agent (Hydroxyurea) in spot assay. Moreover, the presence of extract exhibited significant antioxidant activityin vivoby protecting yeast cells against oxidative stressing agent (H2O2). Altogether, the results of current study revealed thatDesmostachya bipinnatais a potential source of antioxidants and lends pharmacological credence to the ethnomedical use of this plant in traditional system of medicine, justifying its therapeutic application for free-radical-induced diseases.