In vitro Antioxidant and Membrane Stabilizing Activities of Oxalis corniculata Linn.

Abstract

The methanolic extract of the whole plant of Oxalis corniculata was evaluated for antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities. The total phenolics in the methanol extract was found 213.69 mg of gallic acid per g of extract when determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Besides, antioxidant activity was also assessed by various methods, including free radical, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide scavenging and phosphomolybdenum antioxidant assay and reducing power determination. In these cases, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid were used as a standard antioxidants. The membrane stabilizing activity was assessed by using erythrocyte in hypotonic solution, using indomethacin as the standard. It was revealed that the methanolic extract of O. corniculata demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity and significant membrane stabilizing property.