In vitro antioxidant and DNA damage inhibition activity of aqueous extract of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) leaves

Objective To investigate the in vitro antioxidant and DNA damage inhibition potential of aqueous extract of Lantana camara leaves. Methods Antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of L. camara was estimated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, metal chelating activity and reducing power assay. DNA damage inhibition was performed by photolysing H2O2 by UV radiation in the presence of pBR322 and extract. Estimation of phenolic content was carried out by Folin-Ciocalteau assay. Results Extract exhibited high antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenng assay (IC50= 42.66 μg/ml), metal chelating activity (IC50= 1036.4 μg/ml) and reducing power assay. Extract also exhibited the complete protection of pBR322 plasmid DNA during DNA damage inhibition assay. Extract showed high phenolic content which justified the antioxidant and DNA damage inhibition properties of the plant. Conclusions These observations emphasize that aqueous extract of L. camara possess high antioxidant and DNA damage inhibition potential, thus, the plant can be used to develop natural antioxidant compounds for therapeutic use.