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Jiby Elias ¹, M. G. Rajesh ², N. P. Anish ¹, E. V. Ragitha ¹, N. Jayan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Kerala - 686 634, IN
2 Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Kerala-686 634, IN

Abstract

Solanum melongena var. insanum Linn. (Solanaceae) is an undershrub used for the preparation of various Ayurvedic formulations. Macroscopic, microscopic, physico-chemical and phytochemical studies of the ischolar_main, fruit and leaf of the plant were done. Leaves are simple, alternate, pubescent and prickly. The tap ischolar_main is dark yellow to brown in colour with fewer branches. Powdered samples were observed under the microscope and distinctive features of each part were noticed. Anatomical features of the ischolar_main, pericarp of fruit and leaves were studied using hand sections. Moisture content was higher in the leaf (94.25%) compared to ischolar_main (93.50%) and leaf (91.70%). Ash analysis of the samples showed that the percentage of ash was higher in fruit portion (7%). Ethanol (6%) and water (7%) extractive values were higher in the ischolar_main. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that the methanolic extract of ischolar_main contained the maximum number of phytoconstituents such as flavanoids, coumarins, alkaloids, tannins, anthroquinines, phenols, resins, glycosides/reducing sugars, proteins and carbohydrates. Estimations such as carbohydrate, protein and phenol and TLC finger print profile were carried out. Total protein content was found to be higher in fruit (308mg/g). However, carbohydrate (384mg/g) and phenol content (22.2 mg/g) were found to be higher in ischolar_main. These parameters, which are being reported for the first time in S. melongena var. insanum provide referential information for the correct identification and standardization of this plant material.

Keywords

TLC, Organoleptic Evaluation, Phytoconstituents.

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Jiby Elias ¹, M. G. Rajesh ¹, N. P. Anish ¹, M. S. Manu ², Iwin C. Varkey ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Kerala, IN
2 CMS College of Science and Commerce, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – 641006, IN

Abstract

In vitro antioxidant activities and preliminary phytochemical profiling of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Terminalia chebula Retz. (METC) of Combretaceae family were investigated. Total reducing power of the extract increased with increasing concentration which indicated that the plant has inherent antioxidant potential. The extract at a concentration of 500 μg/ml showed maximum activity (85.72%) for 2, 2-diphenyl- 2- picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) followed by nitric oxide (82.28%), superoxide (79.12%) and hydroxyl (77.28%) radicals. The IC₅₀ values of DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were 72μg/ml, 73μg/ml, 69μg/ml and 80 μg/ml respectively. METC had 28.6mg phenols per gram. METC showed the presence of phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, quinines, anthroquinones, tannins, carbohydrates, volatile oils, and phenolics. However, glycoside, coumarins, reducing sugars and resins were absent. Thin layer chromatogram showed two spots (Rf: 0.41, 0.56) under visible light and five spots (Rf: 0.41, 0.49, 0.56, 0.62, 0.71) on exposure to Iodine vapour. The findings suggest that the methanol extract of T. chebula possesses significant free radical scavenging activities in different in vitro models and could be a potent source of natural antioxidants.

Keywords

Antioxidant Activity, Reducing Power, DPPH, Phenol.

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Jiby Elias ¹, M. G. Rajesh ¹, N. P. Anish ¹, P. Deepa ², N. Jayan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam-686634, Kerala, IN
2 Union Christian College, Alwaye, Ernakulam-683102, Kerala, IN

Abstract

The present investigation evaluates the in vitro antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract of Simaruba glauca (MESG). The reducing power of the extract increased with the increasing concentration which indicated that the plant has inherent antioxidant potential. MESG at 250 μg/ml showed maximum scavenging activity of DPPH (83.87%) followed by hydroxyl (80.19%), superoxide (76.25%) and nitric oxide (70.43%) radicals. The half inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide, and nitric oxide radicals were 21 μg/ml, 26 μg/ml, 27 μg/ml and 32 μg/ml respectively against the corresponding reference standards. Phytochemical screening of MESG revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, sterol/terpenoids, quinines, anthroquinones, glycoside, reducing sugar, carbohydrate, volatile oil and phenolic compounds. However, coumarins, saponins, tannins and resins were absent in the extract. The total phenolic content of MESG was 24.6 mg/g. The findings suggest that MESG possesses potent antioxidant activity and has great importance in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical preparations.

Keywords

Simaruba glauca, DPPH, Reducing Power, Phenol.

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