Santhoshkumar Muthu and Brindha Durairaj
The use of plant based remedies and their derived substances has been integral part of traditional medicine throughout the world with the discovery of new therapeutic agents and versatile applications. Annona muricata fruits commonly known as soursop have highest economic value and popularity. In the present study, 50% ethanolic extract prepared from the fresh leaves of soursop was screened for its antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential.. Tannins (0.44+0.0013 mg/g), flavanoids (1.92+0.02 mg/g), phenolics (104.43+0.013 mg/g), carotenoids (0.302+0.001 mg/g), a-tocopherol (14.80+0.02 mg/g), reduced glutathione (7.4+0.01 mg/g), lycopene (0.34+0.01 mg/g) and Vit C (1.98+0.011 mg/g) contents were found to be present. Glutathione-S-transferase (0.740+0.0031 U/g), Peroxidase (6.8+0.101 U/g), Superoxide dismutase (104.70 ± 1.88 U/g), Catalase (2.57±0.02 U/g), Polyphenol oxidase (0.33 ± 0.002 U/g), and Glutathione reductase (35.89+0.103 U/g) activities were found. In addition, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was found with IC50 values of 44.2474 mg/ml. Radical scavenging potentials against superoxide, nitric oxide, hydroxyl, and hydrogen peroxide were found to be effective with IC50 values 59.05+0.103, 70.12+0.023, 134.21+0.063 and 43.4+0.102 mg/ml respectively. The finding of the study reveals that hydroalcoholic extract of Annona muricata leaves could be considered as nutraceutical with potent source of antioxidants and radical scavenging activity suitable for prevention of human diseases caused by oxidative stress.
