Nitric Oxide Radical Scavenging Activity of Terminalia Belericabark

Int. J. Chem. Sci.: 7(4), 2009, 2617-2623

NITRIC OXIDE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA BELERICA BARK
AKHLESH SINGHAI*, GOVIND NAYAK, ASHOK BUDHWANIa and ASHISH SINGHAIb
Lakshmi Narain College of Pharmacy, BHOPAL (M.P.) INDIA a Daksh Institute of Pharmacy, CHHATARPUR (M.P.) INDIA b VNS Institute of Pharmacy, BHOPAL (M.P.) INDIA

ABSTRACT
In the present investigation, am attempt has been made to investigate the in vitro antioxidant potential of aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica bark (TBB). The nitric oxide assay method has been performed at different doses (100-500 mg). The total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents have also been determined. The results of the present study shows that the aqueous extract of TBB possess antioxidant activity through the DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The preliminary phytochemical investigation indicates the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols. The results are found to be significant when compared with the standard ascorbic acid. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism and isolation of active constituents involved in the antioxidant activity. Key words: Terminalia belerica, DPPH, Flavonoid, Phenolic contents.

INTRODUCTION
Free radicals had been implicated in several human diseases e.g. atherosclerosis, arthritis, ischemia and reperfusion injury of many tissues, central nervous system injury, gastritis, ageing, inflammatory response syndrome, respiratory diseases, liver diseases, cancer and AIDS1-4. Many herbal plants contain antioxidant compounds and these compounds protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen, superoxide, peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite5, 6. Moreover, these synthetic antioxidants also show low solubility and moderate antioxidant activity7. Therefore, many researchers are in search for antioxidants of natural origin. Terminalia belerica is a large deciduous tree

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