In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Terminalia chebula Fruit Extracts

Terminalia chebula fruits are rich in tannins and also contain flavonoids and phenolic compounds. This quantity of phytochemicals present in the fruit is estimated by Total phenolic content (TPC) and Total flavanoid content (TFC) assays. It is observed that Terminalia chebula has high Phenolic content. The flavonoid content and the total antioxidant activity of Terminalia chebula fruit extracts are also high. These phytochemicals are responsible for the antioxidant activity of the alcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits. In vitro antioxidant activity of Terminalia chebula fruit is further proved by its capacity to scavange DPPH free radical, superoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxides. The Terminalia chebula fruit extracts has been observed to scavange the above generated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) comparable to the natural antioxidant, ascorbic acid and rutin (flavonoid).