In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> water extract

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina water extract was previously found as a potential in vitro antioxidant agent. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of V. amygdalina spray dried water extract were quantified by using DPPH radical scavenging assay, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC). In vitro DPPH assay showed that, V. amygdalina spray dried water extract was a moderate antioxidant agent when compared with vitamin C. For in vivo test, increased SOD and TAOC and reduced MDA levels were observed on the organs and blood of the animal treated with the extract. It was concluded that V. amygdalina spray dried water extract is a potential antioxidant agent that can protect oxidation stress of the cells in the organ.

Key words: Antioxidant, in vivo, Vernonia amygdalina.