Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOGNOSTIC ESTIMATION AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF NERIUM INDICUM EXTRACTS

Shrinivas K. Sarje*, Rasale Snehal, Dukare Sagar, Kamble Mahesh and Kharate Pooja

ABSTRACT

Nerium is a distinct genus of evergreen coniferous tree from the family Apocynaceae, containing only one species, Nerium indicum (Kaner). Stem and powdered microscopy revealed useful diagnostic features. Phytochemical testing of varies extracts revealed the presence of glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates etc., which was further confirmed by TLC. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of plant extracts was expressed as Gallic acid equivalents and as rutin equivalents respectively. Total phenolic content and flavonoid contents was found to be more in ethanolic extract of stem as compared to aqueous extract respectively. In-vitro Antioxidant activity study indicates that aqueous extract has the more antioxidant effect (98.89% inhibition of free radicals at 100μg/ml) as compared to ethanol extract. Accordingly safe experimental dose was calculated as ≤ 200mg/kg & was used accordingly for further screening of extracts.

Keywords: Nerium indicum, Standardization, Antioxidant activity.