Research Article

Radical Quenching Properties of the Plants
Cassia alata and Cassia spectabilis

Arun Duraisamy and K. P. Balakrishnan*

Abstract

Free radicals are highly reactive molecular species produced in the cell during metabolic processes. These molecules react as an intracellular signal transducer and also help the immune cells (macrophages) to kill the foreign material. The excessive population of free radicals paves the way for many diseases because of the damage of cellular macromolecules due to its highly reactive property. Such issues can be addressed by supplementing the potential antioxidants from the natural sources. Medicinal plants are considered to be the reservoirs of phytochemicals, which are potent antioxidants. The distribution of such phytochemicals in different parts of a plant could be different. Hence, the present study is an attempt to find the antioxidant activity of various parts like leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and seed coat in Cassia alata and Cassia spectabilis.

Keywords: Antioxidants, free radicals, immune cells and signal transducer

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ITC R&D Centre, ITC Limited, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore 560 058
*Corresponding Author: kp.balakrishnan@itc.in