title: A comparative study on the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from different parts of Morus alba L. (Moraceae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antioxidants play an important role to protect damage caused by oxidative stress (OS). Plants having phenolic contents are reported to possess antioxidant properties. The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant properties and phenolic contents (total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthrocyanidins) of methanolic extracts from Morus alba (locally named as Tut and commonly known as white mulberry) stem barks (TSB), root bark (TRB), leaves (TL) and fruits (TF) to make a statistical correlation between phenolic contents and antioxidant potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of methanolic extractives were evaluated by in vitro standard method using spectrophotometer. The antioxidant activities were determined by total antioxidant capacity, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine) radical scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, ferrous reducing antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the extracts, TSB showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by TRB, TF and TL. Based on DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, the TSB extract was the most effective one with IC₅₀ 37.75 and 58.90 μg/mL, followed by TRB, TF and TL with IC₅₀ 40.20 and 102.03; 175.01 and 114.63 and 220.23 and 234.63 μg/mL, respectively. The TSB extract had the most potent inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation with IC₅₀ 145.31 μg/mL. In addition, the reducing capacity on ferrous ion was in the following order: TSB > TRB > TL > TF. The content of phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidins of TSB was found to be higher than other extractives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate high correlation and regression (p-value <0 .001) between phenolic contents and antioxidant potentials of the extracts, hence the Tut plant could serve as effective free radical inhibitor or scavenger which may be a good candidate for pharmaceutical plant-based products. However, further exploration is necessary for effective use in both modern and traditional system of medicines.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh.
authors: Muhammad Ali
authors: MA
authors: Khan
authors: Aziz Abdur
authors: AA
authors: Rahman
authors: Shafiqul
authors: S
authors: Islam
authors: Proma
authors: P
authors: Khandokhar
authors: Shahnaj
authors: S
authors: Parvin
authors: Md Badrul
authors: MB
authors: Islam
authors: Mosharrof
authors: M
authors: Hossain
authors: Mamunur
authors: M
authors: Rashid
authors: Golam
authors: G
authors: Sadik
authors: Shamima
authors: S
authors: Nasrin
authors: M Nurul Haque
authors: MN
authors: Mollah
authors: A H M Khurshid
authors: AH
authors: Alam
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D031625:Morus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D000432:Methanol