Exploration of Antioxidant Effects of Crude Extract of Mangrove Plant - Avicennia marina

Introduction: Antioxidants are efficient in the prevention of human diseases. Mangroves are high bioactive compounds with good holistic bioactivities including insecticides. Avicennia marina, a mangrove plant which has its origin in South Africa included in the family Acanthaceae.

Aim: To explore the antioxidant potential of methanolic extract of mangrove plants, Avicennia marina.

Materials and Methods: The fresh leaves of Avicennia marina were collected from Pichavaram mangrove forest area. The leaves were washed and then shade dried for 2-3weeks and turned into a fine powder. ​Crude methanolic extract of Avicenna marina was prepared. Total antioxidant activity, DPPH Assay and scavenging activity of hydrogen peroxide were performed and antioxidant potential was assessed using ascorbic acid as standard.

Results: The scavenging activity increased with increase in concentration of the extract and thus antioxidant activity was dose dependent. The total antioxidant activity was more close to the ascorbic acid equivalence.

Conclusion: This study concludes that the methanolic extract of Avicenna marina is capable of scavenging a wide range of free radicals for which it can be exploited for the treatment of various free radical mediated diseases. It is evident that mangrove species as a collective are rich sources of antioxidants, phenolics and antimicrobial compounds.