Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of triphala determined by using different in vitro models

Abstract

The use of antioxidants in treatment of oxidative stress-related pathologies is a possible therapeutical strategy for the future. Natural product with antioxidant properties could trigger this goal. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of “Triphala” (an Indian Ayurvedic formulation). The present study describes the effects by di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) iminoazanium (DPPH) scavenging of ferric ion, O2-, NO, H2O2 models. The ethanolic extracts showed good free radical scavenging property which was calculated as IC50. IC50 of ethanolic extracts was found to be 5.94 μg ml−1 for DPPH, 32.59 μg ml−1 for NO, 16.63 μg ml−1 for H2O2, 42.95 μg ml−1 for O2- ,1030 ± 18.54 μM Fe (II)/g for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), which were compared with ascorbic acid (DPPH, NO, O2-, H2O2, FRAP). Total antioxidant capacity and total phenol content of the extract was found to be 388.9 μg ml−1 ascorbic acid and 254 μg ml−1 gallic acid for ethanolic extract. Triphala ethanolic extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging activity. The overall antioxidant activity is attributed to its polyphenolic and other phytochemical constituents. The findings suggest that “Triphala” could be a potential source of natural antioxidant in preventing or slowing the progression of aging and age-associated oxidative stress-related degenerative diseases.   Key words: Triphala, free radicals scavenge, anti-oxidant, di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).