Abstract

In this paper, methanolic extract of Athyrium multidentatum (Doll) Ching. (AMC) rhizome was fractionated into three fractions (petroleum ether fraction (PEF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and n-butanol fraction (BF)) on the basis of polarity. Each fraction had their antioxidant activities estimated employing various established in vitro systems, including superoxide/hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power. BF showed the strongest antioxidant activity and was chromatographed on a silica gel column followed by gradient elution. Fractions with CH₂Cl₂ – EtOAc 10:1, CH₂Cl₂ – EtOAc 5׃1~1׃1 and EtOAc – CH₃OH 10׃1~1׃1 as eluent showed significant antioxidant activity against superoxide anion radical and reducing power. All the results showed that AMC could be potential rich sources of natural antioxidants.

Key words: Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching, antioxidant activity, radical scavenging activity, reducing power, active fraction.

Abbreviation

AMC, Athyrium multidentatum (Doll) Ching; PEF, petroleum ether fraction;EAF, ethyl acetate fraction; BF, n-butanol fraction; ROS, reactive oxygen species; BHA, butylated hydroxyanisol; BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene; PG, propyl gallate; TBHQ, tert-butylhydroquinone; TCA, trichloroacetic acid; SOD, superoxide dismutase; CAT, catalase;GPx, glutathione peroxidase.