Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Zingiber officinale

AO Morakinyo, GO Oludare, OT Aderinto, A Tasdup

Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. The use of natural antioxidant as a therapeutic option is desirable and increasingly being practiced. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the in-vitro antioxidant property of Zingiber officinale, a known food additive. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Zingiber officinale were evaluated for antioxidant activities using DPPH, ABTS and SOD scavenging assay; and lipid peroxidation assay. The results obtained indicated that both extracts possess potent antioxidant property as shown by significant scavenging of ABTS and SOD radicals. Similarly, MDA level (lipid peroxidation) was significantly reduced by the both extracts. However, there was no significant scavenging activity using the DPPH assay. The present study indicates that both aqueous and ethanol extracts of ginger are significant sources of natural antioxidant. Therefore, consumption of the plant material might be helpful in combating the progression of various diseases with oxidative stress components.