Free Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant Activity of Punica Granatum Linn

Free radical scavenging activity of Punica granatum Linn. was carried out by DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) method, Reducing power assay, Scavenging activity against hydrogen peroxide, Total antioxidant activity, Estimation of total flavonoid content in vitro methods. Punica granatum Linn (PG) is rich source of two types of polyphenolic compounds: anthocynins such as delphidin, cyanidin, and pelargonidin which give the fruit and the juice its red colour; and hydrolysable tannins such as punicalin, pedunculagin, gallic and ellagic acid esters of glucose which accounts for 92% of the antioxidant activity of the whole fruit. Oxidative stress (ost) depicts the existence of products called free radicals (molecules possessing an unpaired electron) and reactive oxygen species (ros), which are formed, in normal physiology but become deleterious when not being quenched by a cascade of antioxidants systems (aos). Antioxidant plays an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals thus providing protection to human against infections and degenerative diseases. In the present study Punica granatum Linn found the excellent antioxidant activity as measured by various methods such as DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power assay, H2O2 scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity.