IN VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF Tagetes erecta L. LEAF GROWN IN KALABURAGI, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Tagetes erecta L. (Asteraceae) commonly known as ‘Genda phul’ in India. In the present study different solvents of increasing polarity were selected for the extraction of plant material because particular solvents dissolve particular compounds which responsible for particular activities, water is a universal solvents which dissolve polyphenols, tannins and alkaloids responsible for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, whereas ethanol dissolve most of polyphenols responsible for antioxidants etc. So the present study aims to evaluate free radical scavenging activity of fresh and dry leaf of Tagetes erecta using different solvents. The results of free radical scavenging activity revealed that the aqueous extract of fresh leaf was found more effective than pet ether, ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanolic extract respectively. Whereas Ethyl acetate extract of dry leaf was found more effective than ethanol, acetone, aqueous and pet ether extract respectively and these values are comparable with the standards. Reducing power capacity increased with the increase in the concentrations of the extracts. Further the dry leaf extract was found to be more effective than fresh leaf extract. From the study it is evident that the leaf extracts of Tagetes erecta is a good natural source of free radical scavenging molecules. So leaf extracts of this plant can be used to treat various diseases caused by free radicals.