Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT SCREENING OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA. LINN.

Jabeena Begum P.*

Abstract

Objective: Terminalia catappa Linn. belonging to the family Combretaceae, is also known as country-almond, Indian-almond, Malabar-almond, sea-almond, and tropical-almond and false kamani. The leaves and the bark of the tree seem to possess several flavonoids, tannins, saponins and phytosterols and is highly recommended for its nutritional value and medicinal benefits. In India and the Philippines, its leaves were used to treat hepatitis and bark for treating dysentery. T.catappa leaf extract has been recognized for its phytoconstituents such as Kaempferol or quercetin, punicalin or tercatin for its anticlastogenic, antiparasitic and antihepatic properties. Methods: With all these proven facts, ethanolic leaf extract of T.catappa is yet to prove its antioxidant property with 2,2- Diphenyl-1-Picryl-Hydrazyl (DPPH) which increases leaf maturity. Results: Conclusions: Thus, T.catappa proves to have high Pharmacognosical activity.

Keywords: T.catappa, Combretaceae, DPPH, Phytochemistry, Almonds.