MELILOTUS OFFICINALIS EXTRACT AS A NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT SOURCE
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Background: Melilotus officinalis (yellow sweet clover) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for inflammatory and vascular conditions. The escalating challenge of oxidative stress in human pathology has intensified the search for effective, natural antioxidants. This study was conducted to provide a quantitative in vitro assessment of the anti-radical properties of M. officinalis. Aim: The objective of this research was to quantitatively evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of a 70% ethanolic extract of Melilotus officinalis using a standard biochemical assay. Methods: Dried M. officinalis plant material was extracted using 70% ethanol. The anti-radical activity of the extract was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. The assay was conducted at various extract concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg/ml), and the reaction kinetics were monitored spectrophotometrically at 517 nm over a 30-minute period. Results: The extract demonstrated significant anti-radical activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The Anti-Radical Activity (ARF%) increased with concentration, reaching a maximum mean activity of 87.35% at 0.75 mg/ml. The scavenging reaction was rapid, with activity stabilizing approximately 15 minutes after initiation. Notably, the 1.0 mg/ml concentration showed a slightly lower mean activity (84.04%) than the 0.75 mg/ml concentration, suggesting a potential saturation or non-linear dose-response effect at higher concentrations. Conclusion: The findings confirm that the 70% ethanolic extract of Melilotus officinalis possesses potent free radical scavenging capabilities, comparable to standard antioxidants. This activity is likely attributable to its rich phytochemical profile, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and coumarins. M. officinalis represents a promising and readily available source of natural antioxidants for potential pharmaceutical or nutraceutical applications aimed at mitigating oxidative stress-related disorders.
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