IN VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS FRUIT EXTRACT OF COCCINA INDICA

In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant potential of aqueous fruit extract of Coccinia indica (AFCI) using different in vitro assays including the scavenging activities of super oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, DPPH radical, Nitric oxide radical, Fe+3 radical scavenging activity. The extract was evaluated for antioxidant potential by the phosphomolybdenum method, Fe+2 chelating activity, ferric reducing ability power (FRAP) and ABTS(+) radical scavenging assay. The activity of AFCI was compared with standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. The results indicated that the AFCI possesses the highest antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of AFCI is due to its rich source of beta- carotene, lycopene, taraxerone, taraxerol and beta-sitosterol. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the fruit of Coccinia indica are a potential source of antioxidants.