ABSTRACT

The fruits of Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Wild. & Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) are used as vegetable in India. The fruits are used in the management of diabetes and other diseases. Since these effects may be correlated with the presence of anti-oxidant compounds, methanol and 70% acetone extracts of these plants were evaluated and compared for their total phenolic content, anti-oxidant activity and radical scavenging activity. Total phenolic content of methanol extract of both fruits was found to be relatively higher than acetone extract. The anti-oxidant potential of the extracts were assessed by employing different in vitro assays such as reducing power assay, DPPH, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, OH radical scavenging capacities, peroxidation inhibiting activity through linoleic acid emulsion system and anti-hemolytic assay. Though all the extracts exhibited dose dependent reducing power activity, acetone extracts of the samples were found to have more hydrogen donating ability.