In vitro Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Extracts of Rosa damascena Flower Petals

Introduction: Rosa damascena mill L., well-known as Rose, has numerous pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antitussive, relaxant effect on tracheal chains, hypnotic, antibacterial and anti-HIV. Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of various extracts of Rose flower petals. Methods: Chloroform, acetone, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of fresh and dried Rose petals were prepared and evaluated for presence of flavonoids and phenolics. Ethanol and acetone extract showed high phenolic and flavonoid content and were selected for various in vitro free radical scavenging assays using DPPH scavenging, ABTS, peroxynitrite radicals, xanthine oxidase inhibition (XOI), superoxide scavenging and Lipid peroxidation assay. Results: All the extracts of fresh and dried Rose petals were found to contain higher amount of total phenolics expressed as mg of GAE/g of dry extract and total flavonoids expressed as mg of RE/g of dry extract. The amount of both these constituents was highest in ethanol extract followed by acetone extract, aqueous extract and least in chloroform extract. The ethanol extract of fresh and dried petals showed lowest IC50 values than the acetone extract when evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, peroxynitrite inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition, superoxide scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition methods indicating good free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: The present study has demonstrated that ethanol extract of fresh Rose flower petals exhibit potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.