Assessment of antioxidant potential of Tinospora cordifolia (Stem extract) as a therapeutic strategy

Free radicals are substances normally produced by the human body as one of the defense mechanisms against harmful substances. When the rate of their production exceeds the antioxidant capacity of the body, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress carries harmful effects to all the body systems and is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and cancer. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants play an important role in protection of the body against the harmful effects of free radicals. A lot of researchers are going on worldwide directed towards finding natural antioxidants of plant origins. In this study, we assessed enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant properties of stem of Tinospora cordifolia. Aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia (stem) was carried out by using Soxhlet apparatus. The resultant extraction was used to determine the enzymatic antioxidants (Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione S transferase) and Non-enzymatic antioxidants (Total reduced glutathione, Vitamin – C,) The present study revealed that stem of Tinospora cordifolia has an excellent source of enzymatic and non – enzymatic antioxidants. The present study, reveals the capability to scavenge the free radicals and protect against oxidative stress causing diseases. In future stem of Tinospora cordifolia may serve as a good pharmacotherapeutic agent.