ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES AND PHENOLIC COMPOSITION OF COASTAL HALOPHYTES COMMONLY USED AS MEDICINE (original) (raw)

Halophytes are well adapted in extreme environmental conditions, regulation of secondary metabolism is one of the keys of their success. In this study five coastal halophytes i.e. Atriplex stocksii, Cressa cretica, Heliotropium bacciferum, Ipomea pes-caprae and Salsola imbricate, which are well known for their therapeutic properties were investigated for their antioxidant activity and polyphenol composition. Medicinal halophytes showed considerable antioxidant activity in terms of DPPH (14.4-64.8 I%), ABTS (22.6-230.6 µMol TE g-1), FRAP (0.5-5.6 mMol Fe +2 g-1) and TAC (17.6-36.1 mg AsA g-1). Results indicated that these plants also contained high amount of total phenols (7.7-29.6 mg GAE g-1), flavonoids (4.2-17.3 mg QE g-1) and proanthocynadins (0.2-0.6 mg CE g-1). Among these, I. pes-caprae and C. cretica had the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenolic contents. High correlation among antioxidant activity assays (r = 0.877-0.999) indicated the radical scavenging and reducing power abilities of these plants. Similarly, strong correlations (r = 0.654-0.953) among antioxidant activity measurements and polyphenolic composition suggested that phenolic compounds contributed mainly to the antioxidant activity of these plants. Present study reveals coastal halophytes as rich sources of natural antioxidants, which could be used in herbal formulations, pharmaceuticals/ nutraceuticals, food additives and cure for ailments related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, these plants could be grown using saline resources and provide bioactive raw material with high industrial and economic value.

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