Antioxidant Activity of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Leaves of Plumeria Rubra(Linn.)

Antioxidant or inhibitors of oxidation are compounds, which retard or prevent oxidation and in general prolong the life of the oxidizable matter. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, include superoxidation anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide. The oxidative damage initiated by these is propagated by lipid peroxidation which may cause further damage to DNA. The body defense system against the oxidation damage consist of energy such as superoxide dismutases, glutathione peroxide, catalase and the reducing agent such as glutathions ascorbate and iron. Antioxidant agents of natural have attracted special interest because they can protect human body from free radical. Hence, the present study was aimed at evaluating the free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic and aqueous leaves extract of Plumeria rubra (linn.).