Perveen, F., et al., /Journal of Natural Products, Vol. 5(2012): 207- 213 Copyright © 2012, Journal of Natural Products, INDIA, Dr. Sudhanshu Tiwari, All rights reserved 207 ISSN 0974 – 5211 Antioxidant and DNA protection activities of the hill toon, Cedrela serrata (Royle) leaves extract and its fractions Perveen, F. 1* , Zaib, S. 2 , Irshad, S. 3 , Hassan, M. 2 Departments of Zoology 1 and Biochemistry 2 , Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra-21300, Pakistan Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology 3 , University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan * Corresponding Author (Received 08 August 2012; Revised 10-11 August 2012; Accepted 12 August 2012) ABSTRACT Antioxidant activity of methanolic leaves extract of the hill toon, Cedrela serrata (Royle) was determined in vitro by DPPH free radical scavenging assay (using ascorbic acid as standard) and DNA protection assay. All the analysis was made by using of UV-visible spectrophotometer (DAD 8453, agilent). The antioxidant activity of C. serrata leaves extracts was evaluated using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay in which all of the leaf extracts showed significant activities compared with standard. Inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of ascorbic acid was 5.54ppm, whereas, IC 50 for methanolic extract was 4.39ppm. For n-butanol fraction IC 50 was <1ppm and for ethyl acetate faction and aqueous fraction IC 50 was 4.70 and 5.60ppm, respectively. DNA protection against hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide was assayed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Plant has no damaging effects on DNA and was able to reduce the hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage. It is concluded that extracts have a potential source of antioxidants of natural origin and may act as a chemo-preventative agent, providing antioxidant properties and offering effective protection from free radicals. Keywords: Antioxidant activity; C. serrata; DNA protection; Inhibitory conc.; Free radicals. INTRODUCTION Aerobic life on earth depends upon oxygen but it is also involved in a number of toxic chemical reactions. Auto-oxidation occurs when any organic molecule reacts with atmospheric oxygen. Oxidation of lipids of food stuff results rancidity of food. Human physiology also involves a number of oxidation reactions. The continuous exposure to chemicals and contaminants may lead to an increase in the amount of free radicals in the body beyond its capacity to control them, and cause irreversible oxidative damage (Tseng, et al., 1997). Oxidation induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) can result in cell membrane disintegration, membrane protein damage and DNA mutation, which can further initiate or propagate the development of many diseases, such as cancer, liver injury, stroke, arteriosclerosis, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease as well as for aging process (Willcox, et al., 2004). A potent scavenger of these free radical species may serve as a possible preventive intervention for free radical mediated diseases (Ames, et al., 1995). Research Paper Journal of Natural Products Volume 5 (2012) www.JournalofNaturalProducts.Com