Vol. 7, Issue 11, Part A (2025)

Berberis aristata DC., traditionally known for its medicinal properties, is a rich source of bioactive phytoconstituents. Oxidative stress, caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), contributes to a variety of diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity of Berberis aristata aqueous root extract (BAE). The antioxidant capacity of BAE was evaluated using three mechanistic assays: nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and reducing power activity. The effects were compared with standard antioxidants such as potassium nitrite and ascorbic acid. BAE demonstrated significant, dose-dependent antioxidant activity in all assays. In a nitric oxide scavenging assay, BAE showed an IC₅₀ value of 86.143 µg/ml, indicating effective quenching of nitrosative radicals. The extract also demonstrated effective inhibition of superoxide radicals with an IC₅₀ of 69.828 µg/ml, comparable to standard ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ 57.942 µg/ml). The results indicate that BAE possesses strong antioxidant properties, likely due to its phenolics, flavonoids, and alkaloids such as berberine. BAE's ability to effectively scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress suggests its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing oxidative stress-related diseases.