In Vitro Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Clerodendrum Viscosum

Plants are excellent source of natural antioxidants which have beneficial effect on health. The present study was designed to assess the antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities of 70% methanolic extract of Clerodendrum viscosum. The extracts were examined for the scavenging activity of hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen, hypochlorous acid, superoxide, peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide along with phenolic and flavonoid contents and also tested for its potential activity as iron chelator, inhibitor of lipid peroxidation and total reducing potential. The results indicate that the scavenging activity of leaf is higher than the standard reference compound except lipid peroxidation, singlet oxygen and H2O2 scavenging. In case of iron chelation assay the activity of the extracts is root>stem>leaf. The present study exhibited that the leaf, stem and root extracts of C. viscosum possess excellent free radical scavenging potential and might be used as a natural source of potent antioxidant. KEY WORD: Clerodendrum viscosum, 70% methanolic extract, radical scavenging, iron chelation,