Physalis Power: Leaves that Fight Disease-causing Free Radicals!

The published article in Trends in Medical Research investigates the antioxidant properties of Physalis angulata L. leaves, a plant known in ethnomedicine for treating various diseases. The study explores the free radical scavenging effects of ethanolic extracts and extract fractions (n-butanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane) using various assays. Results indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibits the highest antioxidant activity, with significant scavenging effects on DPPH, ABTS, and nitric oxide free radicals. The study suggests that Physalis angulata leaves could be explored as a potential treatment for diseases associated with free radicals, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Further research is recommended to isolate the active compounds responsible for these antioxidant effects.