Scrutinizing the antioxidant potential of Prunella vulgaris L. : A medicinal plant from central Himalayan region

Abstract

Background & Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of
Prunella vulgaris, a valuable medicinal plant from Central Himalayans. Methods: This was achieved by screening of the plant
extracts at varying concentrations (1-70 μ g/ml), using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity,
reducing power assay superoxide radical scavenging activity, metal chelating activity, and analysis of total antioxidant activity by
ABTS method. Results: Total phenol and flavonoid contents (17.200±0.306 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight and
3.920±0.042 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight) were found respectively. Scavenging effect of methanolic extracts of P.
vulgaris was four times greater than that of the synthetic antioxidant ascorbic acid. Conclusion: Results also suggests a close
relationship between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, reducing power and radical scavenging effect on DPPH
radicals, which proves P. vulgaris is a potential source of useful natural antioxidants.