Antioxidant Activities of Martynia annua Linn. Root Extract

Abstract

Background: Antioxidants play a significant role to protect harm caused by oxidative stress (OS). Plants having phenolic substances are reported to possess antioxidant properties. The present study was intended to research the antioxidant potential of aqueous extract, Hydroalcoholic extract and Alcoholic extract from Martynia annua root. Martynia annua (cat’s claw, bichu) belongs to Martyniaceae family. For centuries, extracts of leaves, roots, stems, roots and seeds of M. annua have been used to cure eplilepsy, inflammation, tuberculosis, skin infections etc. Methods: The antioxidant activities of Aqueous, Hydroalcoholic and Alcoholic extractives were evaluated by using DPPH free radical assay. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyine) free radical analysis is one of the accurate and frequently employed method for evaluating antioxidant activity. Results: Aqueous, Hydroalcoholic and Alcoholic extracts of Martynia annua root were explored which revealed that with increase in concentration of extracts resulted in increased degree of reduction. The IC50 values were calculated for all three extracts. Ascorbic acid was used as control. Martynia annua exhibited IC50 of 69.58±3.44µg/ml, 70.91±2.91µg/ml & 68.49±3.15µg/ml for Hydro-alcoholic extract, aqueous extract & ethanolic extract respectively while Ascorbic acid exhibited IC 50 of 62.91±2.85µg/ml. Conclusions:  Scientific evidence suggests that antioxidants reduce the risk for chronic diseases including cancer and heart disease and infectious diseases. Further evaluation of pharmacological activities and cell line studies of Martynia annua may prove useful in treatment of cancer and heart diseases.