Green Tea Extract is common herbal antioxidants which is beneficial in weight loss and lowering of cholesterol. Noni has been a popular juice supplement drink which has antioxidant properties to lower blood pressure and fight against cancer. Resveratrol is a popular antioxidant supplement extracted from Japanese knotweed which has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-cholesterol benefits. Other common essential dietary antioxidant supplements are which are rich in vitamin E, e.g. vegetable oils, leafy green vegetables, avocado, olives, seeds, wheat germ and almonds. Some are rich in Vitamin C, e.g. citrus fruits, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, strawberries, peppers, potatoes. Vitamin C can have antioxidant activity which can act as a scavenger for oxygen and as a hydrogen donor to phenolics. Selenium is a trace antioxidnt element which are usually found in seafood, chicken, pork, beef, brown rice, whole wheat bread and Brazil nuts. Beta Carotene is a water-soluble vitamin which is found in cantaloupe, mangoes, spinach, kale, squash, sweet potatoes, apricots, pumpkin and peppers. Natural Antioxidants should not cause off flavors of colors, must be lipid soluble, non toxic as well as cost-effective. A number of flavonoids have antioxidant properties such as Quercitrin and rutin which are present in lard and milk fat. These compounds may have colors and flavors.Four aqueous extracts from different parts of medicinal plants were used in Ayurveda as an ancient Indian Medicine ( as potential antioxidants) :

1). Momardica charantia Linn (AP1),

2). Glycyrrhiza glabra (AP2),

3). Acacia catechu (AP3), and

4). Terminalia chebula (AP4).

The antioxidant activity of these extracts was tested by studying the inhibition of radiation induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. The antioxidant extracts were found to restore the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) from the radiation induced damage and antioxidant capacities were also evaluated in terms of ascorbate equivalents by different methods such as cyclic voltammetry, radical by pulse radiolysis and decrease in the absorbance of DPPH radicals. Therefore AP4, with high antioxidant activity, is considered as the best among these four ancient potential antioxidant extracts.

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Dr. Kirti Rani Sharma,
Assistant Professor (II),
Amity Institute of Biotechnology,
Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida
Sec-125, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Noida-201303 (UP), India.
Email ID: krsharma@amity.edu, Kirtisharma2k@rediffmail.com