Free radical scavenging effect of Diospyros kaki, Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida.

Diospyros kaki folium, Laminaria japonica thallus and Undaria pinnatifida thallus have been used traditionally in Korea to promote maternal health. The scavenging activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals of the methanol extracts of these plants were investigated. The extract of D. kaki was found to be the most potent, with an IC50 value of 0.11 mg/ml.