Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE CUSCUTA REFLEXA ROXB AND CASSYTHA FILIFORMIS LINN

Dr. Padma R.*

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. and Cassytha filiformis Linn., two medicinal plants traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes. The antioxidant potential of the selected plant extracts was investigated using four complementary methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide radical inhibition assay, reducing power assay, and phosphomolybdate assay. The DPPH method was employed to assess free radical scavenging capacity, while the nitric oxide inhibition assay evaluated the ability of the extracts to inhibit nitric oxide radical formation. Reducing power activity was determined to assess electron-donating potential, and the phosphomolybdate method was used to estimate the total antioxidant capacity. These assays  provide complementary approaches for evaluating the antioxidant properties of plant extracts. The findings may contribute to understanding the antioxidant potential of C. reflexa and C. filiformis and provide a basis for further phytochemical investigations and studies exploring their potential applications in managing oxidative stress.

Keywords: Cuscuta reflexa; Cassytha filiformis; Antioxidant activity; DPPH radical scavenging; Oxidative stress.