Antibacterial and Antioxidant activity of Benincasa hispida using Hydrogen peroxide scavenging model

Abstract

The seeds of Benincasa hispida commonly known as ash gourd belonging to Cucurbitaceae family is employed as a main ingredient in kusmanda lehyam in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The seeds of Benincasa hispida mashed with milk or the various preparations from the pulp of fruit in the form of sweetmeats, like Kusmanda paka and petha are commonly used as a general tonic, aphrodisiac, rejuvenative and also a brain tonic. The plant of Benincasa hispida was collected from (Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, Dept. of ayush, Ministry of Health and F.W, Govt. of India New Delhi) Govt. Central Pharmacy Annex, Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar Bangalore. The extracts were subjected to Antioxidant activity by In hydrogen peroxide-scavenging model, model acetone extract showed scavenging (80.1%) of hydrogen peroxide and chloroform extract showed ( 79%) in comparison with ascorbic acid ( 94.5% ). Antioxidant activity was carried out for extract (acetone, chloroform, and aqueous extracts) with Hydrogen peroxide-scavenging model. Acetonic extract showed more scavenging (80.1%) of Benincasa hispida and least scavenging was done by aqueous extract of (43%). After comparison with the standard drug (Ascorbic acid) showed (94.5%). From this it was conclused that acetone extract of Benincasa hispida showed high scavenging activity. Conclusively, the result revealed that Benincasa hispida seeds has antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity which may be due to the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids constituents present in the sample.