Antioxidant Potential Some Medicinal Plants of Central India

Cellular damage or oxidative injury arising from free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) now appears the fundamental mechanism underlying a number of human neurodegenerative disorder, diabetes, inflammation, viral infections, autoimmune pathologies and digestive system disorders. Free radicals are generated through normal metabolism of drugs, environmental chemicals and other xenobiotics as well as endogenous chemicals, especially stress hormones (adrenalin and noradrenalin). Accumulated evidence suggests that ROS can be scavenged through chemoprevention utilizing natural antioxidant compounds present in foods and medicinal plants. In this review, research on the antioxidant potential of some medicinal plants of origin of Central India is considered.


Introduction
Considerable evidence have accumulated to implicate cellular damage arising from reactive oxygen species (ROS), at least in part, in the etiology and pathophysiology of human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders such as neurodegenerative disorders (e.g.Alzeimer disease, Parkinson disease, multiple schlerosis, Down's syndrome), inflammation, viral infections, autoimmune pathologies, and digestive system disorders such as gastrointestinal inflammation, viral infections, autoimmune pathologies, and digestive system disorders such as gastrointestinal inflammation and ulcer [1][2][3].In living systems, free radicals are generated as part of the body's normal metabolic process, and the free radical chain reactions are usually produced in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, liver mixed function oxidases, by bacterial leucocytes, through xanthine oxidase activity, atmospheric pollutants, and from transitional metal catalyst, drugs and xenobiotics.In addition, chemical mobilization of fat stores under various condition such as lactation, exercise, fever, infection and even fasting, can result in increased radical activity and damage, in particular, to the immune and nervous systems, while the stress hormones (adrenalin and noradrenalin) secreted by the adrenal glands under conditions of continuation and excessive emotional stress, are metabolized in to simpler, albeit, free radical molecules.
Free radical or oxidative injury now appears the fun-damental mechanism underlying a number of human neurologic and other disorders [4].For instance in diabetes, increased oxidative stress which co-exist with reduction in the antioxidant status has been postulated: Oxygen free-radical can initiate per oxidation of lipids, which in turn stimulates glycation of protein, inactivation of enzymes and alteration in the structure and function of collagen basement and other membranes, and play a role in the long term complication of diabetes [5][6][7].Similarly, in carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species are responsible for initiating the multistage carcinogenesis process starting with DNA damage and accumulation of genetic events in one or few cell lines which leads to progressively dysplastic cellular appearance, deregulated cell growth, and finally carcinoma [8].Hence, therapy using free-radical scavengers (antioxidants) has potential to prevent, delay or ameliorate many of these disorders [9].Over the past two decades, an expanding body of evidence from epidemiological and laboratory studies have demonstrated that some edible plants as a whole, or their identified ingredients with antioxidant properties have substantial protective effects on human carcinogenesis [3,8,[10][11][12][13][14][15].Similarly evidence also exit to demonstrate the chemo preventive capacities of ethno botanicals and components of vegetable diets with free-radical scavenging potential on ulcers [16], diabetes [5], memory and cognitive function [17], Alzheimer's disease [17,18], age-related neurological dysfunction [19], cardiovascular and renal disorders [20].
In the modern word it has been realized the herbal drugs strengthens the body system specifically and selectively without side effects.The importance of traditional herbal medicinal system has now gained vital importance in developed countries has been briefly described.The herbal medicinal practices adopted by traditional medicine-man in Central India for cure of various diseases occurring in tribal pockets.India is blessed with rich and diverse heritage of cultural traditions.These traditions are associated with use of wild plants as medicinal herbs.The use of medicinal herbs is still a tradition adopted by ethnic communities who are living in undulating plains and at foothills of dense forest.The Central India comprises states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Maharastra, Orissa and Jharkhand.The ethnic people of thisregion are Baiga, Bhariya, Bhil, Gond, Hill korwa, Birhor, Khairwar, Rawat and Sahariyas.They use wide range of wild plants for their health care [21].
The traditional herbal healer therapies contain many medicines for one ailment.Out of the various medicines, one is selected by the herbal healer against a particular disease according to the symptoms and secondary effects.Several plants are identified and used against one disease and are used according to their availability in the region.Some of the plants commonly used by tribal in Central India for prominent diseases are recorded during the various surveys.

Central India Plants
In spite of tremendous advances in modern medicine no effective drugs are available, which stimulate liver functions and offer protection to the liver from damage of help to regenerate hepatic cells 1) In absence of reliable liver-protective drugs in modern medicine, a large number of medicinal preparations are recommended for Andrographis paniculata Whole plant In vitro/ in vivo Diterpenes, Lactones, [24] Carica papaya Leaves In vitro/ in vivo Terpenoids.Saponins, Tannins [28] Cassia fistula Bark In vitro Flavonoids [29] Curculigo orchioides Rhizomes In vivo Alkaloids, Flavonoids [30] Cyperus rotundus Rhizomes In vitro Saponin, Sesquiterpenoids, [31] Dalbergia sisoo Leaves and flower In vitro Tannins [32] Emblica officinalis Seeds In vitro Vitamin C, Tannins [33] Ficus bengalensis Aerial root In vitro Flavonoids, Tannins [34] Hemidesmus indicus Stem In vitro Alkaloids, Glycosides [25] Magnifera indica Stem bark In vitro Reducing sugar, Flavonoids [28] Momordica charantia Fruit In vitro Alkaloids, Saponin [35] Moringa olifera seeds In vitro/ in vivo Glycosides [34] Ocimum sanctum Leaf In vitro/ in vivo Carotenoids, Ascorbic acid [33] Plumbago zeylanica Root In vitro Alkaloids, Glycosides [25] Psidium guajava Leaves In vitro Flavonoids, Limonoids [28] Solanum nigrum Fruit In vitro Carotenoids, Ascorbic acid [33] Syzygium cumini Leaf In vitro Triterpenoids, Ellagic acid [36] the treatment of liver disorders 2) and quite often claimed to offer significant relief.Attempts are being made globally to get scientific evidences for these traditionally reported herbal drugs.Amorphophallus campanulatus Roxb.
(ACR) (family: Araceae), is aperennial herb with rounded tuberous root stock (corn).The plant is widely distributed in Central India.The tuberous roots of the plant have been used traditionally for the treatment of piles, abdominal pain, tumors, enlargement of spleen, asthma and rheumatism 3) The tuberous roots of the plant also been possess tonic, stomachic and appetizer properties [22].
In 2002 at the international Aloe Science Council (IASC) Annual Conference, Vinson Joe presented evidence from a human chemical study, that the bioavailability of antioxidant supplement vitamins C and E was increased by over 200 percent when taken Aloe Vera gel.
The decreased activity of antioxidant molecular along with elevated lipid peroxide levels in diabetic rat could probably be associated with oxidative stress and/or decreased antioxidant defense potential.The reversal in their content following treatment may be due to decreased oxidative load.The Aloe barbadensis leaf extracts may also act by either directly scavenging the reactive oxygen metabolites, due to the presence of various antioxidant compounds or by increasing the synthesis of antioxidant molecules [23].
Andrograph paniculata is a perennial herb widely cultivated in Central India and traditionally used as febrifuge, tonic, stomachic and anthelmintic.Andrographis forms the principal ingredient of several pharmaceutical preparations and household medicines too.Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated its hepatoprotective, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, antimalarial, antihyperglycemic and cardioprotective properties.
The role of free radicals generated oxidative stress in isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemic injury is well established.Several herbal drugs possessing antioxidant activity have been demonstrated protective in the isoproterenol-induced ischemic injury of the myocardium.Andrographis is one of the plants used as antioxidant and acclaimed to provide benefie in cardiovascular diseases in traditional literature [24].

Conclusions
Considering the enormous biodiversity resources of the Central India, and the high incidence of diseases with oxidative damage as their etiological factor in this area, a total 20 medicinal plants investigated from Central India.Active principle responsible for the antioxidant properties were also identified.(Table 1).