The evaluation of nitric oxide radical-scavenging property of Scutellaria Barbata

Abstract

Scutellaria barbata also known as barbed skullcap is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of multiple ailments, especially cancer. It is found to possess anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and immunity enhancement properties. Aim is to study the Nitric oxide assay free radical scavenging property of the ethanolic extract of Scutellaria barbata. A dried sample of Scutellaria barbata was extracted using 85% ethanol. Various concentrations of the extract were mixed with Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS). Then Griess reagent was added and the absorbance studied using a spectrophotometer at 546nm. Quercetin solution was used as the standard. The herb exhibited maximal activity of 72.18% at the concentration of 1000 μg/ml. The IC50 value of Quercetin & Herb was found to be 10.24 µg/ml & 104.18 µg/ml respectively. The ethanolic extract of Scutellaria barbata demonstrated a concentration-dependent free radical scavenging property which can be postulated as the mechanism of action in its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation properties.