Comparative evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity of root of blue and white flowered varieties of clitoria ternatea linn

Abstract

Pet ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of roots of blue and white flowered varieties of Clitoria ternatea were studied for their antioxidant potential. DPPH free radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay were studied for evaluation of antioxidant potential. Pet ether, chloroform and methanol extracts roots of blue and white flowered varieties of Clitoria ternatea (CT) significantly inhibited the DPPH free radical at the concentrations ranging from 50-600 μg inL-1. Pet ether, chloroform and methanol extracts roots of blue flowered variety of CT showed highest inhibition i.e., 49.11, 35.42 and 70.67% at 600 μg mL-1, respectively. Pet ether, chloroform and methanol extracts roots of white flowered variety of (CT) showed highest inhibition i.e., 54.48, 39.21 and 78.13% at 600 μg mL-1, respectively. Methanol extracts of blue and white flowered varieties of CT showed a very powerful antioxidant activity in DPPH radical-scavenging assay. Methanol extracts of CT also showed significant reductive ability as well as hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Methanol extract of white flowered variety of CT showed more significant antioxidant activity as compared to blue flowered variety of CT. All the concentrations of methanol extract of CT (MECT) antioxidant activity when compared to control and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). Clitoria ternatea Linn, could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants. © 2011 Asian Network for Scientific Information.