Qualitative and quantitative analysis of biologically active principles ...

colebrookiana and S. violacea possess significant antioxidant
activity. A high radical scavenging activity was observed in
scavenging super oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, 1,1­Diphenyl­2
Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and also showed inhibition against
lipid peroxidation.
More than 10 flavonoids have been identified from different sources
of Scutellaria. Besides wogonin, baicalein and baicalin, a number of
minor flavonoids (eg. chrysin, luteolin and apigenin) have been also
reported to possess potent antitumor activities. The data obtained
from chromatographic as well as spectrophotometric analysis
suggest the presence of baicalin in Scutellaria colebrookiana and S.
violacea. Results of the present study clearly demonstrate that the
chloroform and acetone extracts of root of Scutellaria species offers
protection against the adverse effects of free radicals such as
superoxide, hydroxyl, DPPH and inhibited tissue lipid peroxidation.
This preliminary data also suggests their wide spectrum biological
potentials.
Premna serratifolia
Superoxide scavenging activity
Extract of Premna serratifolia roots were found to scavenge the
superoxides generated by photoreduction of riboflavin.
Concentration of methanolic extract needed for 50% of inhibition of
superoxide was 180 µg/ml (Figure 21).
Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity
Degradation of deoxyribose by hydroxyl radical generated by
Fe 3+ /ascorbate/EDTA/H 2O 2 system was found to be inhibited by
Premna serratifolia root extract. Concentration of methanolic extract
needed for 50% inhibition of hydroxyl radical was 156 mg/ml
(Figure 21).
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