Antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of bark extract of Terminalia arjuna

ObjectiveThe alcoholic extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (ALTA) was screened for antioxidant and antimutagenic (anticlastogenic) activity.MethodsAntioxidant property was determined by 1, 1, Diphyny l, 2-Picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, super oxide radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation assay and total polyphenolic content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau's reagent. Antimutagenic activity was evaluated using micronucleus test in mice.ResultsThe ALTA has shown potent antioxidant activity with EC₅₀ of 2.491±0.160, 50.110±0.150 & 71.000±0.250 in DPPH assay, superoxide radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation assay, which is comparable with ascorbic acid with EC₅₀ of 2.471±0.140, 40.500±0.390 and 63.000±0.360 respectively. In micronucleus test, ALTA (100 & 200mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant reduction in percentage of micronucleus in both polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) and also shown significant reduction in P/N ratio.ConclusionsThese results suggested that ALTA possess significant antioxidant and antimutagenic activity.