Investigation on the Antioxidant Activity of Dheela Grass (Cyperus rotundus)

In the present study antioxidant activity of the plant was assessed. For this purpose Cyperus rotundus was extracted by using different extraction solvents and evaluated for their antioxidant activity using different in vitro antioxidant assays. Total flavonoids contents in methanol extracts of Cyperus rotundus (8.15-18.25 mg CE/g of dry matter) were higher as compared to ethanol extracts (6.44-13.77 mg CE/g of dry matter). Total phenolic contents in methanol extracts of Cyperus rotundus (27.40-37.85 mg GAE/g of dry matter) were also higher as compared to ethanol extracts (25.21-30.23 mg GAE/g of dry matter). Percent inhibition of linoleic acid system in methanol extracts of Cyperus rotundus (32.50-48.17%) was also higher as compared to ethanol extracts (25.20-45.53%). DPPH free radical scavenging capacity in methanol extracts of Cyperus rotundus (51.50-61.73%) were also higher as compared to ethanol extracts (38.37-47.86%). Reducing power in methanol extracts of Cyperus rotundus (0.754-1.112) were also higher as compared to ethanol extracts (0.711-0.837) at concentration of 2.5-10.0 mg/mL. We determine from above results that methanol extracts of Cyperus rotundus have higher antioxidant activity as compare to ethanol extracts. The data thus obtained was further analyzed by using t-test. The present investigation might lead to the exploitation of Cyperus rotundus extracts as a source of antioxidant.