Abstract

EFFECT OF LEAF AND ROOT EXTRACTS FROM THOTTEA SILIQUOSA (LAM.) DING HOU. A MEDICINAL PLANT ON ANTIOXIDANT STATUS

Saiba A.N, Remya Krishnan and Murugan K.*

ABSTRACT

Experimental evidence proves that most of the plants possess a wide array of biological and pharmacological potentialities that may protect tissues from oxidative damages. The aim of this study was to screen various solvent extracts of root and leaves of Thottea siliquosa to evaluate potent antioxidant activity in vitro, total phenol, alkaloid, saponins and flavonoid contents in order to find possible sources for future novel antioxidants for pharmaceutical formulations. The methodologies employed are analytical and biochemical. Thorough study was performed with the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of root and leaf of the plant by in vitro chemical analysis and antioxidant potentialities. Preliminary qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids and saponinss. Phenols (2.5 -4.8 mg/g), alkaloids (43-287 μg/g) and saponins (66-303 μg/g) represented the highest level both in the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of root and leaves. The antioxidant potentialities in terms of DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion and nitric oxide quenching capacity revealed varying responses. The IC50 values are comparable with the standards such as ascorbate and butylhydroxy toluene. Lipid peroxidation level was comparatively inhibited by the extracts. Results from present study suggest that the phytochemicals in the extracts of T.siliquosa act as antioxidant agents as it was substantiated by its free radical scavenging activities.

Keywords: Thottea siliquosa (Lam.) Ding Hou., Antioxidant potentiality, DPPH Radicals, Superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals.