Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties ofPhaulopsis fascisepalaC.B.Cl. (Acanthaceae)

Abstract

The antioxidant activities of crude extract ofPhaulopsis fascisepalaleaf were evaluated and compared with α-tocopherol and BHT as synthetic antioxidants and ascorbic acid as natural-based antioxidant.In vitro, we studied its antioxidative activities, radical-scavenging effects, Fe2+-chelating ability and reducing power. The total phenolic content was determined and expressed in gallic acid equivalent. The extract showed variable activities in all of thesein vitrotests. The antioxidant effect ofP. fascisepalawas strongly dose dependent, increased with increasing leaf extract dose and then leveled off with further increase in extract dose. Compared to other antioxidants used in the study, α-Tocopherol, ascorbic acid and BHT,P. fascisepalaleaf extract showed less scavenging effect on α,α,-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and less reducing power on Fe3+/ferricyanide complex but better Fe2+-chelating ability. These results revealed thein vitroantioxidant activity ofP.fascisepala.Further investigations are necessary to verify these activitiesin vivo.