INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICAL SCIENCES ISSN: 22775005 Review Article A Review on Anti-oxidative Herbs PL. Rajagopal1*, VB. Narayana Swamy2, SS. Kiron3 and KR. Sreejith4 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur, Kerala, South India. 2Professor and Principal, Department of Pharmacognosy, Karaveli College of Pharmacy, Mangalore, Karnataka, South India. 3Department of Pharmacy Practice, Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur, Kerala, South India. 4Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur, Kerala, South India. ABSTRACT Plants are valuable source of the therapeutic agents in the armory of modern medicine. The method of drug development from plant sources is based on a sequence of operation leading mainly toward the isolation of pure natural products. An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Antioxidants have been investigated for the prevention of diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease and even altitude sickness. The major sources of anti-oxidants are reported to be from the natural source, especially from plant source. Key words: Anti oxidant, Free radical, Medicinal Plants INTRODUCTION pharmacological studies to ascertain their Till date as such no set definition of the term therapeutic properties. (Bakru H.K. 1992). antioxidant exists. Scientists are still striving In this review an attempt has been made o hard to find out the role of particular dietary compile most of the Natural Herbs which supplements in body that have potent health possess ant oxidative property. Following are benefits. Since, different antioxidant the list of such medicinal herbs which are compounds found in diet considerably vary reported to be an antioxidant. from one another; it is a difficult task to identify the role of a single compound. In simple Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) - words, "Antioxidants are a type of complex Leaves, roots and berries of the plant possess compounds found in our diet that act as a anti oxidative properties. It prevents premature protective shield for our body against certain ageing and arthritis, enhances psychomotor disastrous diseases such as arterial and co-ordination & the immune system. The berry cardiac diseases, arthritis, cataracts and also is a blood tonifier that improves circulation & premature ageing along with several chronic absorption of nutrients by cells. Leaves are diseases. used for treatment of tumors. Withaferin A The above definition gives an idea about what inhibits the tumor formation. actually an antioxidant is as still a lot of work has to be carried on getting exact information Basil-linalool rich (Ocimum sanctum)- The about antioxidants, their exact amount in the leaves of the plants are used to prevent free diet and their function. The recent research on radical formation and have been found useful free radicals promises a revolutionary in treating arthritis, muscular pains & improvement in the health and lifestyle of rheumatism. The main constituents humans.(Science Tech Entrepreneur) responsible for anti-oxidative property of basil Plant based medicines have been in use are ascorbic acid, β-carotene, β -sitosterol, against various diseases and disorders since eugenol, palmitic acid and tannin. time immemorial. The primitive man used herbs as therapeutic agents and medicaments, Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) - The fruit of the which they were able to procure easily. Nature plant is used in the treatment of arthritis, and is has provided abundant plant wealth, which effective against neuralgia, poor circulation, possess medicinal virtues for all living poor muscle tone, sprains and stiffness. creatures. The essential values of some plants Ascorbic acid, β -carotene, lauric acid, myristic have long been published but a large number acid, palmitic acid, and piperine are the main of them remain unexplored as yet. So there is constituents responsible for antioxidative a necessity to explore their uses and also to behaviour. conduct pharmacognostic and Vol. 2 (3) Jul-Sep 2013 www.ijpcsonline.com 1647 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICAL SCIENCES ISSN: 22775005 Burdock (Aretium lappalo) - The roots of the tryptophan are the main antioxidative plant possess antioxidative properties and constituents in ginger plant. provide protection against cancer by controlling cell mutation. It possesses Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)-Tea extract, antibacterial and antifungal properties, purifies decreases cellular tissues damage and thus blood and supports immune system. Inulin and prevent ageing. It also supports the immune tannic acid are the constituents present in system. Green Tea extracts which burdock that possess antioxidative properties. Epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) is thought to have anticancerous properties and to Barbed Skullcap (Scutellaria barbata)- The reduce liver cancer. EGCG and polyphenols tea made from this herb is fruitful in treating are the main antioxidative constituents of liver, lung & rectal cancer. It has also been green tea. found potent in reducing tumor growth. Gallic acid in scutellaria is anticancerous in function. Gingko (Ginkgo biloba)-The extract of the plant improves blood circulation, prevents free Carrot (Daucus carota)- The β -carotene radical damage and prevents premature found in carrot functions as an antioxidant. It ageing and ginkgogolide are the chief prevents accumulation of toxins and is antioxidative constituents. effective in treatment of arthritis, edema& rheumatism. Alanine, α-tocopherol, ascorbic Grape (Vitis vinifera)-The OPC (oligomeric acid, camphene, eugenol, γ- terpinene, proanthocynidine) is a powerful component histidine are the main constituents in carrot present in grape seed. It acts as a super that possess antioxidant properties. antioxidant, protecting cells against free radical formation. It reduces LDL cholesterol and the Coleus (Coleus ferscoli) – Commonly called risk of cardiovascular tissue. It enhances the as Paterchur, the roots of the plant are used ability of collagen to repair itself thus for fat lowering and to prevent synthesis of preventing degeneration. It also increases the high cholesterol in body. Forskoline is the main strength &elasticity of blood vessels, protecting component in the tea that has antioxidative against rupture, leakage & degeneration. OPC property. reduces high blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of Angiotensin converting enzyme Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)- The plant (ACE). It improves the strength of capillaries & prevents free radical formation and is effective blood vessels. In comparison to Vitamin C, in treatment against arthritis and rheumatism. OPC is a more powerful antioxidant. It blocks γ-terpinene, linalyl acetate, myrcene, palmitic the action of ascorbate oxydase enzyme that acid and rosemarinic acid are the main destroys Vitamin C. Alanine, α-tocopherol, antioxidative components in the plant. ascorbic acid; β-carotene, β-sitosterol, histidine, methionine, OPC, palmitic acid and Clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllata)- The selenium are the main anti oxidative inflorescence of clove is effective in treatment constituents found in grape. of arthritis, rheumatism and sprains. Acetyl- eugenol, ascorbic acid, β- carotene, β- GugguI (Commifera mukul)-The gum yielded sitosterol, caryophyllene-oxide, eugenol and from the plant is used for treatment of arthritis isoeugenol are the main constituents in clove and for lowering blood pressure. that possess antioxidative property. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) - It is found to have a refreshing effect on the body Garlic (Allium sativum)- The leaves and and possesses immune modulatory properties. bulbs protect against free radical formation, β-sitosterol, myrcene and selenium in reduce blood clotting & cholesterol level. lemongrass are responsible for its Alanine, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, antioxidative behavior. camphene, eugenol, γ-terpinene and histidine are the important antioxidative constituents Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)- The resin present in garlic. exudates and sap content is found to be effective against arthritis. β-sitosterol, Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)- The active campestrol and eugenol in myrrh have compound of ginger [6]-gingerol which is antioxidative effect. responsible for ginger flavor has been found to inhibit human cancer growth. 6-Gingerol, Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)- The fruit of alanine, ascorbic acid, histidine, lauric acid, nutmeg beneficial against arthritis, muscular Methionine, Myristic acid, palmitic acid and aches & pains and rheumatism, improves Vol. 2 (3) Jul-Sep 2013 www.ijpcsonline.com 1648 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICAL SCIENCES ISSN: 22775005 circulation. It protects the nervous system and premature ageing and possesses provides immunity against bactericidal anticancerous properties. infection. Camphene, eugenol, γ- terpinene, Antoxidants are effective because they are isoeugenol, lauric acid, myrcene, palmitic acid willing to give up their own electrons to free and terpene-4-ol in nutmeg possess radicals. When a free radical gains an electron antioxidative properties. from an antioxidant it no longer needs to attack the cell and the chain reaction of oxidation is Olive (Olea europaea)- The leaf extract of broken (Bethe and Ashkin, 1953). After olive contains α-tocopherol, apigenin, β- donating an electron an antioxidant becomes a carotene, γ-tocopherol,