Antioxidant Activity of Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats. Essential Oil from Different Ecotypes in Karnataka, India

Palmarosa essential oil, derived from the Cymbopogon martini of the Poaceae family, has long been used in traditional medicine, particularly in India. Despite its widespread use, the antioxidant properties of Palmarosa oil remain underexplored. This study investigates its potential as an antioxidant, focusing on oil extracted from plants cultivated in the plains of South India. We employed two common methods: the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and the Nitric Oxide (NO) scavenging assay. Results indicated that Palmarosa oil displayed significant antioxidant effects, efficiently scavenging DPPH and NO free radicals. The IC50 values from the DPPH and NO assays suggest potent antioxidant activity, comparable to well-known antioxidants. These findings support the therapeutic value of Palmarosa oil, emphasizing its potential as a natural source of antioxidants for various health applications.