Concentration-dependent free radical scavenging and ferric reducing ability of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash: Protective effect of vetiver root extract during oxidative stress

Vetiveria zizanioides, popularly known as ‘KHUS’ grass, has been known to India since ancient times. It is the major source of well-known oil of vetiver, which is used in medicine and in perfumery. A concentration-dependent ferric reducing, free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of two genotypes, namely KS 1 and gulabi of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash) root, were evaluated by using in vitro assays: the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reducing power (RP) assay. A positive co-relation was observed between FRAP, DPPH and TPC of cv KS 1, whereas TAC and RP showed a negative co-relation. A significant protective effect of cv KS 1 (100 [mu]g/mL) extract was also observed in erythrocytes reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration after subjecting erythrocytes to oxidative stress by incubating them with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Our observations suggest that cv KS 1 has better antioxidant activity compared to cv gulabi of vetiver and may, in part, explain the use of spent/waste part of vetiver root as an economically viable source of natural antioxidant against complications arising from oxidative stress