In vitro Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity of Bridelia scandens (Roxb.)Willd

Natural products are emerging out as potent and alternative therapies for many diseases. Today herbs have become the part of mankind, because of its manifold ways in targeting diseased cells with minimal effects on normal cells and tissues. The present research investigated the in vitro antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective of B.scandens leaf. Preliminary phytochemical analysis exhibited the presence of most of the constituent in ethanol extract (BSE). Antioxidant capacity of various extracts of B.scandens was examined. DPPH assay revealed that ethanol extract has a good antioxidant with IC₅₀ value of 31.68μg/ml, whereas standard ascorbic acid with 8.78 μg/ml. BSE revealed dose dependent response with increase in concentration for reducing power assay. ORAC assay directly measured the scavenging capacity and BSE (2485 trolox eq/gm) was found to be potent than other extracts. In vitro hepatoprotective activity was performed for BSE using MTT assay in BRL 3A cell line, which revealed nontoxic dose with CTC₅₀ value more than 1000 μg/ml. At the dose 200 μg/ml, BSE and standard silymarin offered cell protection of 57% and 76 % respectively. Present study concludes that B.scandens leaf extract possess antioxidant potential and protect the liver cells against CCl₄ damage. However in vivo studies are being carried out to validate the traditional usage of Bridelia scandens.