Glowing plants, Tribulus terrestris and Mesua ferrea, symbolizing antioxidant power and natural healing.

Unlock Nature's Power: Comparing Two Potent Antioxidants for Radiant Health

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Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how extracts from Tribulus terrestris and Mesua ferrea can boost your well-being by fighting free radicals and supporting overall health."


In recent years, there's been a significant surge in interest in plant-based pharmaceuticals. Both the scientific community and the general public are increasingly drawn to natural remedies, not only for discovering new biologically active molecules but also for self-medication to counteract the adverse effects of free radicals. This shift towards natural antioxidants is fueled by the understanding that they play a vital role in preventing various health issues.

Natural antioxidants, abundant in fruits, leaves, and flowers, have garnered considerable attention due to their effectiveness as free radical scavengers and their presumed lower toxicity compared to synthetic alternatives. While synthetic drugs can be highly effective, their usage is often limited by severe side effects. In contrast, phytomedicines are generally well-tolerated, with fewer adverse effects.

Moreover, synthetic pharmaceuticals typically consist of single chemicals, whereas phytomedicines exert their beneficial effects through the additive or synergistic action of multiple chemical compounds. Considering the importance of natural product-based antioxidants in treating various human ailments, this study focuses on evaluating the antioxidant properties of two prominent plants: Tribulus terrestris and Mesua ferrea.

Tribulus Terrestris (TT) vs. Mesua Ferrea (MF): What's the Antioxidant Advantage?

Glowing plants, Tribulus terrestris and Mesua ferrea, symbolizing antioxidant power and natural healing.

To determine which plant has superior antioxidant properties, researchers measured the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of ethanolic extracts from Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF) and Mesua ferrea flower (MFF). The study employed standard protocols to assess phytoextracts at concentrations of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 µg/ml. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum-chloride reagent assay methods.

The results indicated that MFF exhibited the highest total antioxidant ability, followed by TTF. In terms of scavenging activities, MFF demonstrated higher radical scavenging activity compared to TTF, closely resembling standard antioxidants. Additionally, MFF showed a greater capacity to reduce ferrous ions than TTF. The phenolic contents of TTF and MFF ethanolic extracts were quantified as 27.0±0.36 and 57.0±0.32 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram extract, respectively. A positive correlation (p value<0.001) was observed between phenolic content and free radical scavenging efficiencies.

Here’s a closer look at the key findings:
  • Total Antioxidant Ability: MFF surpasses TTF in overall antioxidant capacity.
  • Radical Scavenging: MFF exhibits superior radical scavenging abilities, closely matching standard antioxidants.
  • Ferrous Ion Reduction: MFF demonstrates a higher capacity to reduce ferrous ions compared to TTF.
  • Phenolic Content: MFF contains significantly more phenolic compounds than TTF.
These findings highlight that both MFF and TTF are valuable sources of natural antioxidants, serving as effective free radical scavengers and inhibitors. Consequently, extracts from both plants hold promise for developing plant-based pharmaceutical products to manage free radical-mediated diseases.

Embrace Natural Antioxidants for a Healthier Future

The research confirms that both Mesua ferrea flower and Tribulus terrestris fruit are potent sources of natural antioxidants. Incorporating these extracts into your wellness routine can be a proactive step toward combating free radicals and promoting overall health. As we continue to explore nature's pharmacy, these plant-based solutions offer a promising avenue for managing oxidative stress and supporting long-term well-being.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What makes Tribulus terrestris and Mesua ferrea interesting natural sources for health?

Both Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF) and Mesua ferrea flower (MFF) extracts have antioxidant properties that can help counteract the adverse effects of free radicals in the body. They represent a shift towards natural remedies, which are gaining popularity due to their potential to prevent various health issues with fewer side effects compared to synthetic alternatives.

2

In terms of antioxidant properties, how do extracts from Mesua ferrea flower and Tribulus terrestris fruit compare?

Research indicates that Mesua ferrea flower (MFF) extract exhibits a higher total antioxidant ability and radical scavenging activity than Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF) extract. Specifically, MFF demonstrates a greater capacity to reduce ferrous ions and contains significantly more phenolic compounds than TTF. These findings suggest that while both are valuable, MFF has superior antioxidant capabilities.

3

What are the implications of the higher phenolic content in Mesua ferrea flower extract compared to Tribulus terrestris fruit extract?

The higher phenolic content in Mesua ferrea flower (MFF) extract is significant because phenolic compounds are known for their antioxidant properties. A positive correlation exists between phenolic content and free radical scavenging efficiencies, meaning MFF's higher phenolic content likely contributes to its superior antioxidant activity compared to Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF). This suggests MFF may be more effective in combating oxidative stress and related diseases.

4

How can incorporating extracts from Tribulus terrestris and Mesua ferrea into a wellness routine benefit overall health?

Incorporating extracts from both Mesua ferrea flower (MFF) and Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF) into a wellness routine can be a proactive step toward combating free radicals and promoting overall health. As potent sources of natural antioxidants, they can help manage oxidative stress, potentially preventing or mitigating free radical-mediated diseases and supporting long-term well-being. However, the study indicates that MFF may provide more significant antioxidant benefits due to its higher antioxidant ability, radical scavenging activity and phenolic content.

5

The study mentions that phytomedicines exert their beneficial effects through additive or synergistic action. How does this compare to synthetic drugs, and what are the possible advantages?

Phytomedicines, like extracts from Tribulus terrestris fruit and Mesua ferrea flower, often contain multiple chemical compounds that work together additively or synergistically to produce beneficial effects. This contrasts with synthetic drugs, which typically consist of single chemicals. The advantage of the phytomedicine approach is that the combined action of multiple compounds may lead to a more balanced and potentially less toxic effect. It can also target multiple pathways in the body simultaneously, offering a more holistic approach to treatment. However, this complexity also presents challenges in standardizing dosages and understanding the exact mechanisms of action.

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