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ISSN: 2321-5674(Print)
ISSN: 2320 – 3471(Online)
Suruchi Singh et.al Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology
Volume 1(3) May-June 2013 Page 404
A REVIEW ON MEDICINAL PLANTS HAVING ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL
S.K Sharma, Lalit Singh, Suruchi Singh*
Sunder Deep Pharmacy College, Ghaziabad, U.P, India.
*Corresponding author: E.mail: suruchibpharm89@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Natural compounds from plants and other life forms (bacteria, fungi, marine organisms)
represent a major source of molecules with medicinal properties. Among them, antioxidant substances
are of particular interest. The understanding of the central role that oxidative stress holds in the
progression of disorders as varied as: cardiovascular diseases, degenerative conditions, rheumatic
disorders, metabolic syndrome, and in aging, makes antioxidant capacity to a key-feature of modern,
multipotent remedies. A lot of medicinal plants, traditionally used for thousands of years, are present in a
group of herbal preparations of the Indian traditional health care system (Ayurveda) named Rasayana
proposed for their interesting antioxidant activities.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Ayurveda, Rasayana, Oxidative stress.
INTRODUCTION
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals
are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke
and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
Studies suggest that a diet high in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of cancer,
cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. A plant-based diet protects against chronic
oxidative stress-related diseases. Dietary plants contain variable chemical families and amounts of antioxidants. It
has been hypothesized that plant antioxidants may contribute to the beneficial health effects of dietary plants. Our
objective was to develop a comprehensive food database consisting of the total antioxidant content of typical
foods as well as other dietary items such as traditional medicine plants, herbs and spices and dietary supplements.
Since ancient times, the medicinal properties of the plant materials improve the quality and nutritional
value of plants has been investigated in the recent scientific form. While, flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic
developments throughout the world, due to their potent compounds with known properties, which include free
antioxidant activities. The antioxidants have been reported to have radical scavenging, inhibition of hydrolytic
and oxidative to prevent oxidative damage caused by free radical.
Antioxidants Potential Plants
Free radicals are atoms or molecules with singlet, i.e. unpaired electron which makes them highly
reactive. Oxidative free radicals are generated by metabolic reactions create a chain reaction leading to
membrane and other lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, etc. This has been implicated in atherosclorosis
(oxidated LDL is more atherogenic), cancers, neurodegenerative and inflammatory bowel diseases. Many
endogenous and dietary compounds like superoxide dismutase, ferritin, transferrin, reruloplasmin,
tocopherol, carotene and ascorbic acid have anti oxidant and free radical scavenging properties. Small
amounts of reactive oxygen species are continually formed in the body in the cell membrane and close to the cells
organelles. They act where they are generated. Hence, they can damage most cell structures including membrane
lipids, proteins, enzymes and nuclic acids.
The body has mechanisms to produce the small amounts of oxidants normally formed during
metabolic reaction. Reactive species such oxidants are formed in controlled amounts by neutrophil
leucocytes on exposure to microbes are beneficial to the body in that they participate in destroying the
microbes. Excess of oxidants, however, can be harmful to the body. Liver is also under constant threat of oxidants
and some of the free radical especially H2O2. Lipid peroxidation has been demostred as one of the important
feature after exposure to hepatotoxic substances and also is a measure of extent of hepatic damage. Several
herbs and herbal formulations are available for the scavenging activity. In addition to this there is a
global trend to revive the traditional systems of medicines and renewed interest in the natural remedies for
treating human ailments. Antioxidants have important preventive roles, not only on undesirable changes in the
flavor and nutritional quality of food, but also on tissue damage in various human diseases. Almost all organisms
are well protected against free radical damage by either enzymes or compounds, such as ascorbic acid, α-
tocopherol and gluthione.
ISSN: 2321-5674(Print)
ISSN: 2320 – 3471(Online)
Suruchi Singh et.al Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology
Volume 1(3) May-June 2013 Page 405
When the mechanism of antioxidant protection unbalanced by the deterioration of different factors,
physiological functions can occur which result in diseases or accelerated aging. Consequently, it is important to
find compounds that prevent oxidation. Antioxidants have important preventive roles not only on undesirable
changes in the flavor and nutritional quality of food, but also on tissue damage in various human diseases. They
are effective in prevention of degenerative illnesses, such as different types of cancers, cardiovascular and
neurological diseases, cataracts and oxidative stress dysfunctions. Polyphenols are the most significant
compounds for the antioxidant properties of plant raw materials. Then antioxidant activity of polyphenols is
mainly due to their redox properties, which allow them to act as reducing agents, hydrogen donors, singlet oxygen
quenchers, metal chelators and reductants of ferryl hemoglobin. Medicinal plant parts are commonly rich in
phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, tannins, coumarins, lignans and lignins. These
compounds have multiple biological effects including antioxidant activity.
CONCLUSION
As antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation
is achemical reaction that transfers electron from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can
produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants are the substances that inhibit
oxidation and are capable of counteracting the damaging effects of oxidation in body tissue. They prevent damage
caused by free radicals. Free radicals are very unstable molecules with an unpaired electron and are important
intermediates in natural processes involving control of vascular tone, cytotoxicity and neurotransmission. Free
radicals cause many human diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiac reperfusion abnormalities, kidney
disease and fibrosis etc. Antioxidants play many vital functions in a cell and have many beneficial effects when
present in foods.
Table 1. List of plants exhibit antioxidant characteristics and their chemical constituents
PLANT NAME
PLANT PART
MAIN CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Withania somnifera
Ocimum sanctum
Piper nigrum
Arentium lappalo
Scutellaria barbata
Daucus carrota
Coleus ferscoli
Salvia sclarea
Eugenia caryophylla
Allium sativum
Zingiber officinalis
Ginkgo biloba
Vitis vinifera
Berries, leaves,
roots
Leaves, Seeds
Fruit
Root
Leaves,
Leaves, Seed, Root
Roots
Entire plant, seed
Inflorescence
Leaves, Bud
Leaves, Rhizome
Plant
Fruit, Seed
Ascorbic acid,α-tocopherol and reduced glutathione,
superoxide dismutase,ascorbate peroxidase, catalase,
peroxidase & polyphenol oxidase
Ascorbic acid,β-carotene, β-sitosterol, eugenol,Palmitic acid,
tannin
Ascorbic acid, β carotene,Lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic
acid, piperine
Insulin, tannic acid
Gallic acid
Alanine, α tocopherol, ascorbic acid, camphene,eugenol,γ-
terpinene, histidine Antitoxin
Ferscolin
ˠ-terpinene, linalyl acetate, myrcene,
Palmitic acid, rosemarinic acid
Acetyl-eugenol, Ascorbic acid, β -carotene, β-sitosterol,
caryophyllene oxide, eugenol, isoeugenol
Alanine, Ascorbic acid, β-sitosterol,Caffeic acid, Kaemferol,
Methionine
6-Gingerol,alanine, Ascorbic acid, Histidine, Lauricacid,
Methionine, Myristic acid,Palmitic acid, Tryptophan
EGB 761,Ginkgogolide
Alanine, α-tocopherol, Ascorbic acid, β -carotene, β-
sitosterol, Histidine, OPC, Methionine, Palmitic acid,
ISSN: 2321-5674(Print)
ISSN: 2320 – 3471(Online)
Suruchi Singh et.al Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology
Volume 1(3) May-June 2013 Page 406
Citrus aurantifolia
Cymbopogon citratus
Commiphora myrrha
Myristica fragrance
Olea europaea
Mentha piperata
Catharanthus roseus
Rosemarionus
officinalisL
Santalum album
Curcuma domestica
Acorus calamus
Alisma plantago-
aquatica L.
Allium ursinum L.
Cotinus coggygria Scop.
Angelica sylvestris L.
Anthriscus cerefolium
Anthriscus sylvestris
Carum carvi L.
Ery
ngium campestre L.
Sanicula europaea L.
Achillea millefolium s.l.
Arctium lappa L.
Artemisia absinthium L
Artemisia vulgaris L.
Bellis perennis L
Bidens tripartita L.
Carlina acaulis L.
Carthamus tinctorius L.
Cichorium intybus L.
Cirsium arvense (L.)
Scop
Fruit
Leaves
Resin, Sap
Seed, Leaf
Leaf
Leaf
Leaf
Entire Plant
Leaf, Oleoresin
Fruit, Wood
Rhizome
Rhizome
Flowering aerial
parts, roots
Leaf
Leaf
Root, Grains
Root, Flowering
aerial part
Flowering aerial
part
Fruits
Flowering aerial
part
Flowering aerial
part
Leaf, root
Flowering aerial
part
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Root
Flower
Flowering aerial
part, root
Leaf
Flowering aerial
part
Flowering aerial
parts
selenium
Alanine, α –pinene,ascorbic acid,β -Sitosterol, caffeic acid,
Eugenol, Linalylacetate, Palmitic acid, Tannin
Β-sitosterol,Myrcene,Selenium
Β-Sitosterol,campestrol,eugenol
Lauric acid,Myrcene, Palmitic acid
Α -tocopherol,apigenin, β -carotene, γ -
tocopherol,kaempferol, Luteolin
Menthol, Limonene
Vincristine, Vinblastine
Carsonic acid, Rosemaric acid,
Β –sitosterol , Caryophyllene oxide, eugenol,isoeugenol
Alanine, eugenol, β -sitosterol, Palmitic acid, phenol
Curcumin,tannins, phenolic acids
Only antioxidative fractions devoid of beta-asarone should
be used,
Triterpene (alisol B)
Flavonoids, sulfur-containing compounds
Flavones, aurones, chalcones
Flavonoids, coumarins
Flavonoids (apiin), lignans
Flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin)
Flavonoids, volatile oil
Flavonoids, triterpenes
Rosmarinic acid derivative
Flavonoids, tannins, volatile oil
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonol glycosides
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Phenolic acids, flavonoids
Phenolic acids,acidic polysaccharides with unprecised
structure
Flavonoids
Flavonoids, volatile oils
Phenolic acids, flavonoids
Flavonoids
Phenolic acids, flavonoids
Flavonoids, polysaccharides (mucilages)
Flavonoids
Flavone 6-C-Glycosides
ISSN: 2321-5674(Print)
ISSN: 2320 – 3471(Online)
Suruchi Singh et.al Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology
Volume 1(3) May-June 2013 Page 407
Conyza canadensis L.
Cronq.
Hieracium pilosella L
Matricaria recutita L.
Onopordum acanthium
Solidago virgaurea L.
Taraxacum officinale
agg.
Tussilago farfara L
Betula pendula Roth
Alliaria petiolata
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Nasturtium officinale
Humulus lupulus L.
Sambucus nigra L.
Sambucus ebulus L.
Viburnum lantana L.
Viburnum opulus L.
Evonymus europaeus L.
Cornus mas L.
Corylus avellana L.
Juniperus communis L.
Hippophae rhamnoides
Elaeagnus angustifolia .
Equisetum arvense L.
Calluna vulgaris (L.)
Vaccinium myrtillus L.
Anthyllis vulneraria L.
Genista tinctoria L.
Lotus corniculatus L.
Melilotus officinalis L.
Pallas
Ononis spinosa L.
Trifolium arvense L.
Flowers
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Root, Flowering
aerial parts
Leaf
Leaf
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Glandulae
Flowers
Leaf
Branches
Branches
Grains
Fruits
Grains, Leaf
Fruits
Fruits
Leaf, Branch
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Leaf, Fruit
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Bark, Flowers
Bark
Flavonoids, glucosinolates
Flavonoids, glucosinolates
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids, procyanidins
Flavonoids, procyanidins
Flavonoids
Flavonoids, phenolic acids
Phenolic acids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids, carotenoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Anthocyans
Flavonoids,isoflavones (genistein)
Flavonoids, triterpenes
Flavonoids
Triterpenes
Isoflavones
Isoflavones
Isoflavones
Tannins, procyanidins, flavonoids
Tannins, procyanidins,
Flavonoids
Xanthones, phenolic acids
Tannins, gallic acid
Flavonoids, tannins
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Tannins, flavonoids
Flavonoids, phenylpropanoids
(verbascoside)
Flavonoids, phenolic acids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids, phenolic acids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids, phenolic acids
Flavonoids
ISSN: 2321-5674(Print)
ISSN: 2320 – 3471(Online)
Suruchi Singh et.al Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology
Volume 1(3) May-June 2013 Page 408
Trifolium pratense L.
Trifolium repens L.
Quercus petraea L.
Quercus robur L.
Centaurium erythraea
L.
Erodium cicutarium L.
Geranium
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts, roots
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flowering aerial
parts
Flavonoids, phenolic acids
Flavonoids, phenolic acids
Flavonoids
Flavonoids, iridoids
Phenolic acids,flavonoids, carotenoids
Polysacharides, flavanoids
Polysaccharides (mucilages), flavonoids
Flavonoids, coumarins
phenylpropanoids (verbascoside)
Tannins,
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