Abstract :
Oxidative stress (OS) is the imbalance between cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the
ability of cells to scavenge them. OS has been implicated as a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of
several diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease[1]. ROS cause the damage of many cellular
components including lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, such as DNA leading to subsequent cellular death by
modes of necrosis or apoptosis[2]
. Antioxidants play an important role to protect damage caused by oxidative
stress (OS). Plants having phenolic contents are reported to possess antioxidant properties. The present study
was designed to compare the antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from Musa acuminata (leaf, peel )
Ricinus communis (seed, stem). Antioxidant activity of the methyl extracts of the plant extracts were determined
by use of Hydrogen peroxide method. The higher the concentration of the extract gave higher free radical
scavenging activity. Antioxidant activity of the plant extracts decreased in the order: Musa acuminate peel>
Ricinus communis seed > Musa acuminate leaf > Ricinus communis stem. The present study was undertaken to
evaluate and compare the antioxidant properties of plant’s methyl extracts. Thus, Musa acuminata could be
considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants.
Keyword :
Free radical scavenging capacity, Hydrogen peroxide method, phenolic contents, anti oxidant phenolic contents.etc.