1 Journal of Cell and Tissue Research Vol. 8(3) 0000-0000 (2008) ISSN: 0973- 0028 (Available online at www.tcrjournals.com) Original Article ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM, AZADIRACHTA INDICA, CITRUS LIMON AND ALOE VERA AGAINST OXIDISING AGENTS ON PRIMARY CHICKEN EMBRYO FIBROBLAST CELL CULTURE SHARMA, A., GUPTA, S., GABA, R. AND DAHIYA, S. Department of Biotechnology, University Institute of Engineering and Technology Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136119. E. mail: swatidahiya@yahoo.co.in . Received: November 2, 2009;Accepted: --------------- Abstract: The present study evaluates the antioxidative potential of different plants viz., Solanum lycopersicum seeds extract, Azadirachta indica leaf extract, Citrus limon juice extract and Aloe vera gel extract against chemical oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (1X and 10X H 2 O 2 ) and potassium permanganate (N/100 and N/10 KMnO 4 ) on primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell culture. Higher survival rate of CEF cells treated with antioxidants was observed in the microtiter wells having higher concentrations of plant extracts as they were able to prevent oxidationo. Interestingly the survival rate of the cells is reduced with decreasing the concentration of plant extract. Present investigation shows that all the four plant extracts exhibit antioxidant potential in CEF cells against oxidizing agents. S. lycopersicum seed extract was found to be most effective against 1X H 2 O 2 as it protects 80% cells upto 10 -6 concentration, whereas C. limon and A. vera extracts protect 80% cells upto 10 -2 and 10 -3 conc., respectively while using A. indica extract about 50% cells were protected upto 10 -5 concentration. After treating the CEF cells with N/100 KMnO 4 , S. lycopersicum and A. vera extracts were found to be more effective among all other extracts as they protect about 80% cells upto 10 -4 conc. It can be concluded from these results that the seed extract of S. lycopersicum has the highest potential amongst all the four plant extracts for protecting CEF cells against damaging effect of highly reactive free radicals. The treatment of cells first with oxidizing agent and then with plant extracts showed that these plant extracts particularly S. lycopersicum can repair the damage done by H 2 O 2 and KMnO 4 in the CEF cells. Key words: Antioxidants, Chicken embryo fibroblast cell culture, Solanum lycopersicum, Azadirachta indica, Citrus limon, Aloe vera. ? INTRODUCTION An imbalance between free radicals and defense mechanism leads to cell damage and several diseases. There are a number of enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems that contribute to the inactivation of free radical reactions. Antioxidants are substances that protect the cells against the damaging effect of highly reactive free radicals that are the by-products of the cells. Many plants such as Solanum lycopersicum, Azadirachta indica, Citrus limon and Aloe vera possess antioxidant properties. The Solanum lycopersicum contains the antioxidant lycopene which protects against cancer, facial diseases and also used as anti ageing agent [1]. The S. lycopersicum samples were qualitatively assessed by measuring their effectiveness during the induction period prior to oxidation [2]. Several investigations have indicated the effect of dietary lycopene in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. Although, the antioxidant properties of lycopene are thought to be primarily effects, the evidences are accumulating to suggest other properties such as intercellular gap junction Proof