Free Radicals Scavenger Potency of Betel Leaves (Piper Betel L.) Extract and Various Fractions

The imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the biology system can cause various diseases. Betel leaves (Piper betel L.), parts of a medicinal plant, are popularly used as a herbal remedy for diseases, but the scientific basis especially of their antioxidant properties remains unknown. To evaluate free radicals scavenger activity of ethanol extract and various fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water fraction), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroperoxide (H2O2) scavenging activity were determined. To determine the DPPH and H2O2 scavenging activity, betel leaves extract and fractions were prepared in 10 concentrations. The result of this research showed that betel leaves extract and fractions had higher H2O2 scavenger and lower DPPH scavenger activities than gallic acid. The highest DPPH scavenging activity with Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) was found in gallic acid 0.732 μg/mL, ethyl acetate fraction 3.156 μg/mL, and ethanol extract 5.489 μg/mL. The highest H2O2 scavenging activity with IC50 was found in butanol fraction 0.223 μg/mL, gallic acid 0.597 μg/mL, and ethyl acetate fraction 0.783 μg/mL. In conclusion, betel leaves extract and fractions were potential free radicals scavenger; they could be potential candidates to inhibit oxidative stress. Gallic acid and ethyl acetate fraction were the highest free radicals scavenger both in DPPH and H2O2 free radical scavenging activity