An Investigation of free radical scavenging activity of various extracts of Olax scandens (family Olacaceae)

Olax scandens Roxb. (family Olacaceae) is available in throughout tropical India. In the current study, the aerial parts of different extracts of Olax scan- dens were assessed by various in-vitro methods. The antioxidant activity was
evaluated by Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity(OH radical), Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity(NO radical), and total antioxidant activity (Phos- phomolybdic acid method) with reference standard Ascorbic acid. An IC50
value was originated that methanolic extracts of Olax scandensis more efβi-
cient in Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Nitric oxide radical scaveng-
ing, total antioxidant activity than that of EA and petroleum ether extract. The methanolic extracts of Olax scandens & ascorbate exhibited antioxidant potential possessing IC50 253μg/ml & 135μg/ml (NO radical ), 205μg/ml & 57μg/ml (Phosphomolybdic acid method), 265μg/ml & 65μg/ml (OH radi- cal) respectively. But when compared to all the three extracts with ascorbate (standard), the methanolic extract of the Olax scandens showed a better result.
Moreover, the results were observed in a concentration-dependent manner. Invitro antioxidant studies obviously showed that methanolic extracts of Olax scandens have better antioxidant activity. These results indicate that aerial
parts of methanolic concentrates Olax scandals could serve as a natural antiox- idant, which may be useful to prevent free radical-induced diseases.