Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) Haw var. fimbriata (wall.) Grav. & Mayur. is a traditional food consumed as vegetable or pickle in arid regions of India and eaten during famines. In Indian
traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat diabetes,
inflammation and etc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
antioxidant properties (DPPH, TEAC, TAA, FRAP, OH˙ and NO˙ radical scavenging activities) of the different extracts from aerial parts. The levels of total phenolics and
flavonoids of the extracts were also determined. The extracts were found to have different levels of
antioxidant properties in the test models used.
Methanol and water extracts had good total phenolic and
flavonoid contents showed potent
antioxidant and
free radical scavenging activities. The
antioxidant activity was correlated well with the amount of total phenolics present in the extracts. The extracts and its components may be used as an additive in food preparations and nutraceuticals.