FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF THE BACOSIDE FRACTION FROM BACOPA MONNIERI

Objective: Bacopa monnieri is a herb which has been used in Indian traditional medicine for a long period. Bacosides, the major constituents of Bacopa monnieri, have antioxidant, anticancer and memory enhancing properties. Methods: The bacoside fraction was isolated from the dried powder of the aerial parts of Bacopa monnieri. The free radical scavenging activity of the bacoside fraction was determined by different assays (DPPH, ABTS, SOâ—, NOâ—, OHâ— and H2O2) at concentrations ranging from 5 µg to 200 µg. Results: The scavenging activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner from 5µg to 50 µg and a plateau in activity was observed from concentrations higher than 50 µg of the bacoside fraction. Conclusion: Higher concentrations did not show further increase in scavenging activity. Various in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to assess the medicinal potential of the bacoside fractio