In vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of various parts of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica is a desert plant and its unripe fruits are cooked as a vegetable. Besides, this plant is also used for treating various ailments by the dwellers, yet very little is known about its free radical scavenging activity. Methanolic extracts of aerial parts and roots of this plant were evaluated for their free radical scavenging activity through 2,2' diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power assays. Results revealed that there is strong free-radical scavenging activity lying in both parts comparable with synthetic antioxidant i.e. Butylated Hydroxy Anisole (BHA). The activity was found increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Root extracts showed significant DPPH• and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, whereas highest electron donating capacity was observed in aerial parts extracts (O.D. of 2.38) at a concentration of 100μg/ml. This research work will be helpful in the discovery of novel antioxidants from L. pyrotechnica that may replace synthetic antioxidants.