In-vitro anti-oxidant studies on ethanolic extract of Alpinia galanga linn

Background: The free radical scavenging activity by in-vitro antioxidant assay is performed on ethanolic extract of Alpinia galanga. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules produced as a by-product during metabolism of oxygen. From the current understanding of pathophysiology, it is extensively proved about the positive role of reactive oxygen species in degenerative disease. Nature has provided abundant fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants with rich source of antioxidants as the natural defense against free radical induced damage to living organisms.Methods: The present study is to screen and document the antioxidant property of Alpinia galanga from Zingiberaceae family by lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil radical scavenging in vitro antioxidant assay.Results: The results are the percentage inhibitory concentration (IC) of Alpinia galanga are as follows IC50 102.70 mcg/ml, IC50 63.35 mcg/ml and IC50 8.80 mcg/ml and for control vitamin E is IC50 29 mcg/ml, IC50 15 mcg/ml and IC50 18 mcg/ml by Lipid peroxidation, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil and nitric oxide free radical scavenging activity respectively.Conclusions: The Alpinia galanga root ethanolic extracts from Zingiberaceae family has significant nitric oxide free radical scavenging activity