In vivo and In vitro Anti Oxidant Activity of Ethanolic Extraction of Justicia gendarussa Burm Leaves

Oxidation is very essential to many living organisms for the production of energy to fuel biological processes. The free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are continuously, produced in vivo, responsible for oxidation. The aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential of ethanolic extraction of justicia gendarussa burm leaves [EEJG]. The study was done by using various in vitro and In vivo methods such as Hydroxyl Radical scavenging activity, Determination of Reducing Power, Metal chelating activity, Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced lipid peroxidation and Inhibitory Test on Protein Oxidative Modification and in vivo Lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and Catalase was studied. The ethyl acetate extract showed the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content among other extracts of justicia gendarussa burm leaves. The percentage inhibition and IC50 value of all the extracts were followed dose-dependency and found significant (P < 0.01) as compared to standard (ascorbic acid). The oxidative stress markers as Lipid peroxidation (LPO) (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were increased significantly (P < 0.01) at 250 and 500 mg/kg of EEJG treated animals and decreased significantly the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] level at 500 mg/kg of EEJG as compared to control group. These results revealed that the ethanol extract of Justicia gendarussa burm leaves exhibits both In vitro antioxidant activity against DPPH and In vivo antioxidant activity by modulating brain enzymes in the rat. This could be further correlated with its potential to neuroprotective activity due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic contents in the extract.