*R. V. Geetha1, Anitha Roy2, Sitalakshmi T3
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract of Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse chest nut). Highly reactive free radicals and oxygen species are present in biological systems from a wide variety of sources. These free radicals may oxidize nucleic acids, proteins, lipids or DNA and can initiate degenerative disease. Antioxidants play an important role in protecting cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Plants containing phenolic compounds have been reported to possess strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract of Aesculus hippocastanum was studied using different in vitro free radical scavenging models like DPPH and Hydrogen Peroxide. The DPPH results have been compared with the standard Ascorbic acid .The extract showed good dose dependent free radical scavenging property in both the models used in this study.
