Anti-oxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract of Aquilaria agallocha on nitrite-induced methemoglobin formation

Abstract

Aquilaria agallocha Roxb, family Th ymelaeaceae, is an evergreen plant of India, China and Tibet, commonly described as aloe wood or agar wood. Traditionally, bark, root and heartwood are used for their medicinal properties as a folk medicine to treat infl ammation, arthritis, vomiting, cardiac disorders, cough, asthma, leprosy, anorexia, headache and gout. Th e present study was carried out to investigate
the antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract of Aquilaria agallocha (EAA). EAA was tested in vitro at diff erent concentrations for inhibitory eff ect on nitrite-induced oxidation of haemoglobin in human blood hemolysate. Results indicate a strong antioxidant eff ect of EAA in a concentration range of 500-3500 μg/ml. However, pro-oxidant activity was observed at higher concentrations of these compounds.
Key words: Aquilaria agallocha, antioxidant, nitrite-radical, methemoglobin