| Popis: |
Introduction and Aim: Reactive oxygen species are implicated in the pathophysiology of several human ailments. Antioxidants from plants are shown to be promising in terms of their health benefits. Glochidion ellipticum Wight is belonging to the family Phyllanthaceae. This study investigated the antioxidant potential of solvent extracts of G. ellipticum leaves in vitro. Materials and Methods: Sequential extraction of the shade dried leaf powder was carried out by maceration using petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol solvents. The solvent extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis. DPPH, ABTS and Ferric reducing assays were performed to investigate in vitro antioxidant activity of solvent extracts. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and Aluminium chloride colorimetric estimation method, respectively. Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis of solvent extracts revealed the presence of phytoconstituents viz. flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and tannins in the leaf material. The solvent extracts scavenged both DPPH and ABTS radicals in a concentration-dependent manner with marked and least activity being shown by methanol extract and petroleum ether extract, respectively. In ferric reducing assay also, methanol extract showed marked activity followed by chloroform and petroleum ether extracts. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was highest in methanol and least in petroleum ether extract. Conclusion: The radical scavenging and reducing abilities of extracts observed in this study could be attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites detected in the plant as it is well established that the polyphenolic compounds including flavonoids are excellent antioxidants. A direct correlation was observed between the content of phenolics and flavonoids and the antioxidant activity of extracts. The plant appears to be suitable for developing novel formulations that can be used to manage oxidative damage. |
