title: Free radical scavenging and reducing power of Lawsonia inermis L. seeds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content of Petroleum ether extract (PE), Dichloromethane extract (DCM), Ethanol extract (ET) and aqueous extract (AQ) of henna seeds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total antioxidant assay (phosphomolybenum method), DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay were used to ascertain the potential of seeds as an antioxidant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all the assays carried out ET showed a greater potential to scavenge DPPH radical, reduce MO (VI) to MO (V) complex and Fe (III) to Fe (II) and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The IC(50) of ET was far greater than that of the standard, ascorbic acid (AS) in the lipid peroxidation assay. The activity of AQ was lesser when compared with that of ET but greater than PE and DCM. The amount of phenolics and flavonoids were present in higher amounts in ET followed by AQ. Trace amounts of phenolics were detected in PE and DCM, but the amount of flavonoids were below the detection level. The study showed that the antioxidant activity and the concentrations of phenolics and flavonoids are proportionate to each other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ethanolic extract of henna seeds are efficient antioxidants, which can be utilized for further isolation of active compounds and pharmaceutical applications.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University, Vellore 632014, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Philip Jacob
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Madhumitha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mary Saral
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031564:Lawsonia Plant / Q000737:chemistry; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts