Screening of antioxidant potentials in Dioscorea bulbifera

Abstract

Dioscorea bulbifera is a major staple food crop which is a species of yam widely distributed around the world in tropical and subtropical regions. Dioscorea bulbifera have been traditionally used to lower glycemic index, thus providing a more sustained form of energy and better protection against obesity and diabetes.  It also has anti-cancer properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant activity of Dioscorea bulbifera. The ethanolic extracts of tuber Dioscorea bulbifera were screened for their enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activity. The level of enzymatic antioxidant namely Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glucose-s-transferase (GST) was found to be very impressive. Dioscorea bulbifera contains good and commendable store of non enzymatic antioxidants namely reduced glutathione (GSH), Vitamin – C and   Vitamin – E. Our results have good significance, as this increase the innate antioxidant potential of Dioscorea bulbifera, which is useful in providing the antioxidants needs in the diet and thereby Dioscorea bulbifera accomplishes high value nutritive and natural store of antioxidant.