Abstract: In a basic investigation, the antioxidative responses of two maize inbreds, A-180 and A-619 were studied at their vegetative stage. The total antioxidant ability of the plant leaf materials was determined using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. The results revealed that the total antioxidant capacity in the leaves of maize inbreds quickly increases during drought period, while it slowly reverts back to the normal level during recovery. Differential changes in the enzymatic antioxidation through redox enzymes Catalase, Peroxidase and Polyphenol oxidase were observed between both inbreds during drought period. The activity of Pheylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL), a key enzyme involved in biosynthesis of isoperonoid antioxidative compounds was found to be increased sharply during stress period in both inbred lines. The overall results suggested that isoperonoid compounds may be more responsible antioxidants in maize drought-challenged antioxidative system.