Inhibitory Response of Carissa carandas Root Extract on Lipid Peroxidation

In this study, response of ethanolic extract of the roots of C. carandas (ERCC) on membrane lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity was evaluated by using series of in vitro models of chemical and rat liver homogenate. The ethanolic extract exhibited its radical scavenging effect in concentration dependent manner on 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), super oxide, nitric oxide, erythrocyte haemolysis and the IC₅₀ values found to be 324.93, 185.08, 117.66, 242.69 and 70.82 μg/ml respectively. The extract was also evaluated for its inhibitory response on membrane lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) using young and aged rat liver homogenate. The extract was also effective in preventing membrane lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO₄/ascorbate in concentration dependent manner. The free radical protective activity may be attributed to its total antioxidant capacity and the presence of total polyphenolic contents. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the ethanolic extract of the roots of C. carandas can be a potential source of natural antioxidant and justify the therapeutic applications of the plant in the indigenous system of medicine.