Planta Med 2008; 74 - PF11
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084739

The Thai medicinal plants used in traditional rejuvenating medicines exhibit potent antioxidant activity

R Panriansaen 1, W Cherdshewasart 2, S Subtang 1
  • 1Program of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
  • 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
  • 3Department of Science Service, Rama VI, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

Antioxidant activity of six Thai medicinal plants, Anaxagorea luzonensis, Butula alnoides, Dracaena conferta, Melia azedarach, Mucuna collettii and Phyllanthus emblica, used as rejuvenating drugs was assessed by DPPH assay. The plant samples were identified, collected, oven dried, powdered, extracted successively with ethanol and water and dried in vacuo. All ethanolic extract samples exhibited stronger antioxidant activity (range of IC50 value was 10.14±0.22–37.65±0.91µg/ml) than that of α-tocopherol (IC50 of 66.36±1.97µg/ml). Two water extract samples, Dracaena conferta and Anaxagorea luzonensis possessed the most potent antioxidant activity (IC50 value were 4.19±0.43 and 4.23±0.22µg/ml, respectively). The results demonstrated that there are plants with strong antioxidant activity present in the traditional Thai remedies for rejuvenating purposes.

Acknowledgements: The authors thank the Office of Research and Academic Service, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, for a grant support.

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