Gemmomodification: an emerging source of natural antioxidants from Silybum marianum.

Gemmomodification is a form of herbal medicine in which young freshly growing buds of plants are used. At germinating stage, plants metabolic activities are maximum and various nutrients, hormones enzymes and bioactive phytoconstituents are released and available at this stage. Plants may be promising source of natural antioxidants at growing stage. Oxidative stress leads to many chronic and degenerative diseases. Antioxidants are very essential for human body; they can protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress. This research project had been designed to investigate the antioxidant potential of gemmo modified and native (dry leaves) extract of Silybum marianum. Total phenolic contents was calculated by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and antioxidant potential was evaluated by using four radical assays (DPPH, ABTS, Super oxide and nitric oxide), reducing power assay and lipid peroxidation assay spectrophotometrically. Gemmo modified extract showed significantly higher (p<0.050) TPC (830 mg GAE/g of plant extract) as compared to native extract (800 mg GAE/g.) Results of this study revealed that gemmo modified extract demonstrated better antioxidant potential than natively used parts of Silybum marianum.