J. Res. Educ. Indian Med., Jan. - March, 2012 Vol. XVIII (1) : 55-59 ISSN 0970-7700 IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF GRADED DOSES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT FROM LUFFA CYLINDRICA (L) SEEDS K. NAGARAJAN, 1 SATYAJIT DUTTA, 2 SUMIT DAS, 2 SURABHI SINGHAL, 3 PALLAVI SAXENA, 4 AVIJIT MAZUMDER 5 AND L. K.GHOSH 6 Division of Bio-Medicinal Chemistry, R&D Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, 1,2,4 Department of Microbiology, 3 IIMT College of Medical Sciences, ‘O’ Pocket, Ganga Nagar, Mawana Road, Meerut - 250001 U.P. (India) School of Pharmacy, 5 Technology and Management, NMIMS University, Mumbai - 400053 M.S. (India) Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 6 Jadavpur University, Kolkata - 700032 W.B. (India) Abstract: Luffa cylindrica (L) (Family: Cucurbitaceae) commonly called sponge gourd plant have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-HIV and antiasthmatic activity. The seed powder was extracted with methanol under 60-80°C by continuous hot percolation process using Soxhlet apparatus and the solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure and the residue was stored in desiccator. The total antioxidant activity of the extract was determined with phosphomolybdenum method using α-tocopherol as the standard. Among the graded doses (1 μg/ml, 2 μg/ml, 3 μg/ml and 4 μg/ml) selected for the study, the maximum total antioxidant potency was observed with higher dose of seed extract of Luffa cylindrica (L) at a concentration of 3 μg/ml which is slightly greater than the standard α-tocopherol. The antioxidant activity was statistically significant at 1% and 5% level of significance, which clearly indicates the validation for the biological work accomplished. Keywords: Luffa cylindrica, Antioxidant, α-tocopherol, Seed extracts. Introduction There is an increased evidence for the participation of free radicals in the etiology of various diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, aging, etc. (Bandopadhyay et al., 1999). An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules which scavenge the free radicals and prevent the damage caused by them. They can greatly reduce the damage due to oxidants by neutralizing the free radicals before they can attack the cells and prevent damage to lipids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates and DNA (Fang et al., 2002). Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells (Umamaheswari and Chatterjee, 2008). Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols, ascorbic acid or polyphenols. Natural plants have been used in the treatment of various diseases from the time of immemorial the use of plants as a source of medicine lies deep in the history of mankind. A wide range of antioxidants from both natural and synthetic origin has been proposed for use in the treatment of various human diseases (Cuzzocrea et al., 2001). Loofa is derived from the cucumber and marrow family and originates from America (Mazali and Alves, 2005). Luffa [Luffa cylindrica (L) Rome syn L. aegyptiaca Mill] (Family: Cucurbitaceae) commonly called sponge gourd, loofa, vegetable sponge, bath sponge or dish cloth gourd, plant have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-HIV, antiasthmatic, immunomodulatory and antitumor 1. Assistant Professor 2. Lecturer 3. Assistant Professor and Head 4. Research Scholar 5 & 6.. Professor