Zeenath V. M. H. ¹, Deepika E. ¹, Santhy K. S. ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Allium ascalonicum belongs to family Alliaceae, is an annual plant spread throughout India. It is commonly known as shallots in India. The screening of various phytochemicals present in the methanol, ethanol, chloroform and water extracts of Allium ascalonicum was performed using a standard procedure. The different extracts were measured for the radical scavenging activities in vitro against a battery of radicals namely DPPH, FRAP and H₂O₂ and also the reducing power potential. The phytochemical analysis led to the detection of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, phenols, amino acids, glycosides, tannins, triterpenoids and carbohydrates. Of all the extracts, maximum intensity was revealed in the methanol extract. Similarly, the methanol extract exhibited a stupendous radical scavenging effect with respect to all the radicals in a dosage dependent manner where the scavenging capacity increased with increase in concentration. The DPPH, FRAP and H₂O₂ showed a maximum inhibition, 80.67, 77.12 and 80.88 % respectively at 40 μg/mlas compared to the standard, 87.38%. Likewise, the reducing power ability was shown in the dose dependent manner. This study provides evidence for the presence of one or more soluble constituents in the plants used, that probably interferes with radical scavenging effect and further could be opted for other therapeutic activities.

Keywords

Allium ascalonicum, Phytochemical Screening, Free Radical Scavenging Activity.

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Valsala P. ¹, Deepika E. ¹, Santhy K.S. ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore-641 043, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The study investigated the phytochemical compounds and the free radical scavenging potential of Mentha piperita L. Four solvents namely methanol, ethanol, chloroform and water were taken for the extraction of Mentha piperita L. (Peppermint). Preliminary phytochemical analysis was done using the standard protocol. Further, Mentha piperita L. was assessed for the free radical scavenging activity against four radicals namely DPPH, FRAP, hydrogen peroxide and the reducing power ability. Among all the solvents used, methanol extract exhibited the maximum extractive index. The phytochemical screening detected the occurrence of compounds such as flavonoids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins and quinones. The free radical scavenging activity showed a maximum scavenging power in the methanol extract with increase in concentration. The scavenging efficacy of DPPH, FRAP and hydrogen peroxide were 90.33, 81.52 and 91.38% respectively at 60 μg/ml. Similarly, the reducing power showed the highest at the dose of 60 μg/ml. These findings demonstrated that the Mentha piperita L. has rich phytochemical resources, which act as a potent antioxidant species. Further studies on the therapeutic properties of this plant in animal and human models will resolve its potential for the treatment of lifestyle disorders.

Keywords

Mentha Piperita L., Antioxidant, Free Radical Scavenging, Flavonoids, Therapeutic Properties, Reducing Power Ability

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