摘要：Background. Chemical composition and medicinal potential of Centella asiatica (C. asiatica), Cedrus deodara(C. deodara) and Artemisia persica (A. persica) prompts the need to investigate antioxidant attributes of these species as alternative source of natural antioxidants. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of methanolic extracts of these plants towards stabilization of sunflower oil as oxidation substrate.Material and methods. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, peroxide value, iodine value, conjugated dienes, trienes and P-anisidine value were determined by recommended methods of AOCS.Results. It was observed that all the plant extracts possessed antioxidant activity, but generalized statement was in favour of Centella asiatica. DPPH scavenging activity of Centella asiatica extract was just like BHT emphasising the antioxidant potential of Centella asiatica in fats and oil containing foods.Conclusion. Centella asiatica extracts can be explored as a source for antioxidant components for food preservation. However, further studies may be carried out to isolate and identify more specific natural and safe antioxidants by combining various analytical techniques
