Evaluation of Basella rubra L., Rumex nepalensis Spreng. and Commelina benghalensis L. for antioxidant activity

Basella rubra L., Rumex nepalensis Spreng. and Commelina benghalensis L., are commonly consumed as leafy vegetable in rural India. In the present study, acetone, methanol and water extracts of B. rubra, R. nepalensis and C. benghalensis were evaluated for their antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential by employing different in vitro assays such as reducing power, DPPHâ, ABTSâ¢+, hydroxyl, superoxide and nitric oxide radical scavenging capacities, metal ion chelating ability and peroxidation inhibition activity through β-carotene/linoleic acid emulsion system. All the tested extracts contained considerable levels of total phenolics, tannin, flavonoids and vitamin C content. The extracts also exhibited increasing reducing activity with increasing concentration. Among the samples, the extracts of R. nepalensis registered higher activity in DPPHâ¢, hydroxyl and nitric oxide radical scavenging assays. Further, all the extracts registered noticeable superoxide and ABTSâ¢+ radical scavenging potential. At a concentration of 250μg in the final reaction mixture, all the tested extracts were found to have recognizable peroxidation inhibition and metal chelation. The results indicated that the selected plants may serve as potential source of natural antioxidants capable of offering protection against free radical mediated damages