ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIHEMOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF AVERRHOA BILIMBI EXTRACT

Objectives: The present investigation attempts to study the antioxidant and antihemolytic activity of ethyl acetate fraction of the bilimbi extract (BE) and determine the contributory phytochemicals.Methods: Fresh fruits of Averrhoa bilimbi were dried and subjected to 60% aqueous methanol extraction followed by biphasic extraction with ethyl acetate and water. The ethyl acetate fraction (BE) underwent phytochemical screening, analyzed using RP- HPLC and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS.+) radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, RBC protection activity and DNA protection activity.Results: In phytochemical screening analysis, we detected lipids while alkaloids, flavanoids, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, reducing sugars and amino acids were not detected. HPLC analysis showed prominent peaks at 23, 27 and 37 min under 310 nm. The fraction expressed ABTS.+ radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, RBC protection activity and DNA protection activity wherein TEAC value was 11.5 µM, IC50 value of hydroxyl RSA and antihemolytic activity were 49 and 47 µg/ml respectively.Conclusion: The ethyl acetate fraction of bilimbi predominantly comprised of lipids which exhibited significant antioxidant and protective properties. Key words: Antioxidant, DNA protection activity, antihemolytic activityy.Â