In-vitro Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extract of Physalis minima Linn.

The antioxidant activity is increasing as there is realization of that formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) have been linked in pathogenesis of several human diseases. Physalis minima L. are commonly known as Country gooseberry, which is widely used in the indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of diuretic, fever and dropsy. The leaves aqueous extract of the plant was studied for its invitro antioxidant activity by two methods viz DPPH radical scavenging assay and Nitric oxide scavenging assay. Its free radical scavenging activity was estimated by IC₅₀ value and the values at various concentrations 5 to 25mg/ml. At 25mg/ml DPPH radical scavenging assay and Nitric oxide assay showed maximum inhibition 92.30% and 75.41% These results clearly indicate that aqueous extract of leaves of Physalis minima is effective in scavenging free radicals and has the potential to be a powerful antioxidant.