MEDICINAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

Medicinal plants play very important role to preserve the human healthy life. The knowledge of their healing properties has been transmitted over the centuries within and among human communities. A large number of different biologically active and therapeutic potentially active constituents are drawn from plant kingdom. The utilization of these natural compounds (secondary metabolites) for human aliments as well as animals begins from time immemorial. In the present paper six plants (Ocimum sanctum, Ipomea carnea, Delbergia sissoo, Lantana camara, Carissa carandas and Ricinus communis) are reviewed for their chemical constituents, medicinal and antioxidant property which ultimately leads to tissue damage resulting in a number of degenerative diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are class of highly reactive molecules derived from the metabolism of oxygen reported to prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals and may prevent the body from various disorders. In past few years, the search for effective and more reliable non-toxic natural compounds with antioxidant activity has been intensified. The present review undertakes a brief account of research report on plants with medicinal and antioxidant potential.Keywords: Medicinal plants, Antioxidant activity, Free radicals, Chemical constituents Â