Abstract

EVALUATION OF DPPH RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF THE LEAF, ROOT AND FRUIT EXTRACTS OF TRICHOPUS ZEYLANICUS FROM SOUTH INDIA

Sindhu C and Beena Jose*

Abstract

The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaf, root and fruit of Trichopus zeylanicus was invesigated. Among the leaf,root and fruit extracts of Trichopus zeylanicus studied, methanol extract of leaf, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of root and methanol and water extracts of fruit showed potent scavenging activity on 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The remarkable antioxidant activity exhibited by the leaf,root and fruit extracts can be attributed to the synergic effect of the active compounds present in it. Phytochemical screening of the leaf, root and fruitextracts showed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and tannins present in them and these compounds are reported to have antioxidant properties. The results showed that the leaf, root and fruit extracts of Trichopus zeylanicus can be considered as good source of natural antioxidants and can be incorporated into drug formulations.

Keywords: Trichopus zeylanicus, DPPH radical scavenging activity, Phytochemical screening, Antioxidants, Drug formulations.