IN VITRO EVALUATION FOR FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF CYATHEA GIGANTEA (WALL. EX HOOK.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cyathea gigantea by using Superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical and DPPH radical scavenging methods. Cyathea gigantea is a species of scaly tree fern. The methanolic leaf extract of Cyathea gigantea produced a dose dependent inhibition of in vitro free radical generation of superoxide anion (IC50 value 220 μg/ml), hydroxyl radical (IC50 value 351.9 μg/ml) and DPPH radical (IC50 value 203.5 μg/ml). The results clearly indicate the free radical scavenging activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cyathea gigantea and this activity comparable with that of the standard drug ascorbic acid.