OPTIMIZATION OF SOLVENT EXTRACTION FOR MAXIMIZING ANTIOXIDANT AND PHENOLIC YIELD FROM FUNCTIONALLY IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a major reason of many skin diseases. Natural antioxidants are more effective and there are no side effects of them. A number of skin diseases are caused due to antioxidant deficiency. These drugs although cure the problem but with a lot of side effects. Therefore, present investigation was done to explore the antioxidant potential of five medicinal species (Camellia sinensis L., Rosa indica L., Cucumis sativus L., Olea europaea L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). All the plants were extracted by maceration method in both polar and non-polar solvents in a series of 30 %, 50%, 70% and 100% v/v concentrations. Antioxidant evaluation was done through DPPH Assay, Total Phenolic Assay (TPC) and Total Antioxidant Assay. Among all 30% v/v methanol extract of Rosa indica showed maximum radical scavenging activity. Methanol extract (100% v/v) of Camellia sinensis showed maximum phenolic content and maximum antioxidant potential. The extracts showing best results are recommended as best anti-aging plants for pharmaceutical industry.