Abstract

Heckeria subpeltata (Willd.) Kunth. the fresh bark, leaves and root of the plant are extensively used by the kurichia, adiya, kuruma and kattunaika tribes of Wayanad for curing piles, dysentery, diarrhea, arthritis, jaundice, kidney problems, leucorrhoea, menstrual problems, ear pain, blood clot etc.  The objective of the present study is to examine the antioxidant activity of methanolic and water extracts of leaves of H. subpeltata (Willd.) Kunth. The DPPH radical scavenging activity, Phosphomelybdenum assay, Fe (III) to   Fe (II) reducing activity and the estimation of total phenol content of plant material are the methods used for the present study to determine the antioxidant activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activity 107.05 obtained at 517 nm for the methanolic leaf extract of H. subpeltata (Willd.) Kunth is significant when compared to the commonly used butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA) (175 at 517 nm). The maximum value for phenol estimation, reducing power and antioxidant capacity of phosphomolybdenum was shown by the methanolic leaf extract of H. subpeltata (Willd.) Kunth, which forms a potential source of natural antioxidant.

Key words: Antioxidants, reducing power, radical scavenging, piperaceae, traditional.