ROLE OF FRESH JUICE AND DRY POWDER PREPARATIONS OF BENINCASA HISPIDA AND LAGENARIA SICERARIA FRUITS IN INHIBITING CELLULAR STRESS BY MEASURING DPPH ASSAY

Dr. A. Umamaheswari*, A. Abishek Prasenaa and Mohamed Akkram Khan

ABSTRACT

Introduction: During the past few decades, the drugs from natural products have gained importance in the field of medicine. Many plants and their products exhibit marked pharmacological activities. Benincasa Hispida and Lagenaria siceraria fruits are one of those important natural plants which are used in the treatment of various disorders. The present study was designed to analyze the antioxidant property of fresh juice and dry powder preparations of Benincasa hispida and Lageneria siceraria fruits in inhibiting cellular stress by chemical testing and DPPH assay. Materials and Methods: Fresh fruits were obtained from the local market and washed thoroughly in the running water. Then the dry powder and fresh juices of Benincasa hispida and Lagenaria siceraria were made by using hot air oven at 60 degree Celsius made and used for DPPH assay and chemical testing of Phenolic and Flavonoid compounds. Results: Only dry powder of Benincasa hispida fruit showed positive for both phenolic and flavonoid compounds. In Lagenaria siceraria, both dry powder and fresh juice revealed positive only for flavonoid compounds. In DPPH assay, dry powder preparartions of Benincasa hispida and Lagenaria siceraria proved better free radical scavenging activity compared to their fresh juice forms. Conclusion: Enhanced antioxidant property of Benincasa hispida and Lagenaria siceraria dry powders possess good therapeutic potential and can be useful as an effective antioxidant in clinical use of various diseases.

Keywords: Antioxidant property, Dry powder, Fresh juice, Benincasa Hispida, Lagenaria Siceraria.