EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIAL OF KASHMIRI POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM LINN.) FLOWER EXTRACT

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to find the effect of two extracts namely, aqueous and methanolic of Punica granatum L. Flowers on in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic potential Methods: The antioxidant activity of extracts was monitored using DPPH assay, Reducing power, Nitric oxide radical inhibition assay whereas, phenolic content was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu,s reagent. In vitro anti diabetic activity was evaluated by their effect on alpha-amylase and non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin. Alpha-Amylase inhibitory activity of Punica granatum L. Flower extracts were evaluated using Porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA) with starch as a substrate, whereas, in non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin Glucose (2%), haemoglobin (0.06%) and Gentamycin (0.02%) solution were prepared in phosphate buffer 0.01 M, pH 7.4, 1 ml each of above solution was mixed. 1 ml of each concentration was added to above mixture. Mixture was incubated in dark at room temperature for 72 hrs. The degree of glycosylation of haemoglobin was measured colorimetrically at 520 nm in which Ascorbic acid was used as standard drug. Results: There was significant anti-oxidant activity. Methanolic extract showed the highest inhibitory activity than aqueous extract. Both the extracts were strong inhibitors of alpha-amylase and non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin. Discussion: The alpha-amylase and non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin inhibitory activities of Punica granatum L. Flowers correlated to antioxidant activity and phenolic content of extracts. Conclusion: Punica granatum

1. flowers can be effective in treatment of diabetes not only through inhibition of alpha-amylase and non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin inhibitory activities, but also by its antioxidant effect.