Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal Plants: A Review

Author: S.Z. Sayyed, P.N. Nagane and A.A. Kulkarni

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Abstract

According to some studies, two-thirds of all species of plants have medicinal properties. The ability to provide antioxidants of medicinal plants is extremely significant. Antioxidants decrease the oxidative stress in cells so they are useful in the treatment of many human diseases, like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, liver diseases, cataracts, nephrotoxicity, and neurodegenerative processes associated with aging, inflammatory diseases and cancer. Each part of the plant has unique therapeutic characteristics and contains several secondary metabolites that have crucial for the treatment of various diseases. The antioxidant activity of plant parts such as stems, roots, bark, leaves, fruits, and seeds of various prominent medicinal species are discussed in the present article. There are also synthetic antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA), which are currently utilized as food additives and prevent the oxidation of the body caused by free radicals. Similar antioxidant potential can be seen in many plant species. This review updates the knowledge on the antioxidant activity of several medicinal plants and herbs that aid in lowering the levels of oxidative stress. It promotes knowledge of some medicinal plants and herbs antioxidant properties, which are useful in preventing oxidative stress.

Keywords

Antioxidant, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Oxidative stress

Conclusion

Plants like Piper rectrofractum, Albizia amara, Cassia fistula, Terminalia arjuna, T. Chebula, Azardirachta indica, Zingiber officinale, Tribulus terrestris, Trigonella foenum graecum, Opuntia dilenii and Phyllanthus emblica etc. are the potent source of antioxidants and are easily available in the surrounding. Various parts of these plants, leaves, fruits, flower, stem, root/ rhizome are used as great source of antioxidants. The increasing external influences of the promoting unchecked production of free radicals are reduced by such raw herbal antioxidants. Endogenous antioxidants are those produced by the body independently and some antioxidants, known as exogenous antioxidants, are received from external sources and satisfy the body's dietary requirements. Antioxidants have been shown to possess toxicity and pro-oxidant action which is useful for more research and development. If we take these medicinal plants as part of our diets, antioxidants may enable us to keep our free radical levels low and, as a result, maintain our bodies working normally. This study will advance our understanding of the sources of antioxidants.

References

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How to cite this article

S.Z. Sayyed, P.N. Nagane and A.A. Kulkarni (2023). Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal Plants: A Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5a): 234-241.