Research Article IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC-AQUEOUS EXTRACT POWDER (ROOT AND STEM) OF SALACIA OBLONGA

Objective: Salacia oblonga Wall. (SO) is a woody climber, mainly distributed in Sri Lanka and Southern India. In spite of its antidiabetic and antioxidant potential, an incomplete data exists in relation to standardization of this plant in comparison to other Salacia species. The present study characterized the Methanolic-Aqueous (roots and stems) extract powder of SO and further evaluated the in vitro antioxidant potential. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was analyzed through Reducing Power assay, H 2O2 Scavenging activity, Superoxide Radical Scavenging activity, and Nitric Oxide Radical Scavenging activity assays. Results: The Phenolic, Flavonoid, Flavonol and Tannin content of SO were found to be 65.8 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 8.89 mg GAE/g, 5.78 mg GAE/g and 83.6 mg GAE/g dry weight of sample. Conclusion: Statistical analysis of the data revealed that, the total Phenolic and Tannin content of SO significantly enhanced it’s Reduc ing Power, while the total Flavonoid content contributed significantly to the H 2O2 and O2-. Scavenging activity. The Phenolic compounds of SO brought about significant scavenging of NO- radical. The present study thus, proves the Methanolic-Aqueous extract of SO to be a good radical scavenger which might be considered as a natural source of antioxidants for medicinal and commercial uses