The activity learn more of the extract was more profound than quercetin – an important antioxidant flavonoid. There are no reports available on lipophilic antioxidants in this plant. The fatty acid/lipid autooxidation or metal dependent oxidant generation in cells lead to the formation of peroxyl free radicals (ROO.). The half life of ROO∙ radicals are relatively longer

than any other oxygen derived free radicals present in normal cells and are present at high steady state concentrations. Therefore, these free radicals are also of utmost importance in pathological conditions and tumor initiation.26 Therefore, lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity of the extract was assessed by TBARS assay, which is useful in quantifying the capacity of antioxidants to inhibit peroxidation. The activity SAR405838 research buy of the extract was comparable to that of quercetin and better than previously reported in H. japonicum from Nilgiris, India. 9 Hydroxyl free radicals degrade the deoxyribose of the DNA molecule releasing purine and pyrimidine bases.27 This may yield the mutagenic sites, which is one of the most important mechanisms in the initiation of cancer.16 In the present study, the extract effectively reduced the oxidative damage of the DNA. The hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity of the extract could be due to the ferrous ion chelating activity, by which it reduces the generation of hydroxyl radicals.

The phenolic profiling of the methanolic extract by HPLC had revealed the

presence of various vital phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, phloroglucinol, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid; and flavonoids such as, quercetin and epicatechin. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of these phenolics and flavonoids are well documented and the first presence of which, substantiates the antioxidant activity of the extract. There are a few reports on flavonoids profiling of H. japonicum. But no comprehensive reports are available on phenolic profile of the plant except a report on quality evaluation of H. japonicum extracts, which showed the presence of quercetin, 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid and phluoroglucinols. 28 The methanolic extract of H. japonicum from Western Ghats of India was rich in total phenol and flavonol contents with moderate antimicrobial and significant antioxidant activities. The extract had shown hydrogen donation capacity, quenching of peroxyl and hydroxyl free radicals and metal chelation capacity. As discussed before, these radicals are involved in the tissue damage during normal and pathological conditions with varying degree of affects. Therefore, the plant could be a rich source for dietary antioxidants and a candidate for the extraction of vital phenolic and flavonoids in pharmaceutical industries. All authors have none to declare.