Abstract

EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF SOME SELECTED INDIAN MEDICINAL FRUITS FROM KANNUR CITY, KERALA

Karthika Krishnamoorthy, Jamuna Senguttuvan, Thenmozhi Krishnaswamy*

Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore – 641 029,Tamil Nadu, India.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of different solvent extracts of the fruits of Caryota urens L., Chassalia curviflora Thw. Zizyphus oenoplia Mill. and Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Materials and Methods: Quantitative phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant properties were evaluated by using reducing power assay, DPPH•, NO•, metal chelating and ABTS•+ scavenging activity, β carotene bleaching assay and antihemolytic activity. Results: Acetone fractions of Caryota urens fruit registered significantly high amount of secondary metabolites and it also effectively scavenged off the free radicals in a concentration dependent manner. Similarly, Zizyphus oenoplia fruit extracts also exhibited significant activity than the other said plant samples. Conclusion: In the present study, the fruit extracts of C. urens exhibited appreciably high antioxidant activity. Furthermore the present study validates the therapeutic benefits of the plant in medicine.

Keywords: Caryota urens, Chassalia curviflora, Zizyphus oenoplia, Clerodendrum infortunatum, fruits, antioxidant activity.