Evaluation of antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory activities of Cassia siamea Lam. and Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anders

Abstract

Antioxidant systems play a crucial role in protecting membranes from the deleterious free radicles. Natural, plant derived antioxidants are now preferred to the synthetic ones because of safety concerns. Leaf extracts of Cassia siamea Lam. and Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anders were tested for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components and compared with those of the standard free radicle scavenging compounds like BHT, toluene and Ascorbic acid.  Methanolic leaf extracts exhibited strong membrane stabilizing activity.  They were also found to be effective in inhibiting heat induced hemolysis, protein denaturation, COX and LOX activities. Cassia siamea exhibited high levels antioxidant components and a more significant radicle scavenging and membrane stabilizing activity when compared to Asystasia gangetica