Abstract

ANALYSIS OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF Solanum villosum (Mill). - A TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT IN SOUTHERN INDIA

Venkatesh R*, Kalaivani K and Vidya R

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was aimed to evaluate the qualitative analysis of phytochemical constitutions and free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract of Solanum villosum (Mill) leaves, a traditional medicinal species in southern India. Phytochemicals are responsible for medicinal activity of plants. These are non-nutritive chemicals that have protected human from various diseases. In the present study, an attempt has been made to document the presence of phytochemicals and radical scavenging activity of the medicinal plant Solanum villosum (Mill) which is used in the indigenous system of medicine for therapeutic purposes. A plant contains many phytochemicals constituents including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, carbohydrates, glycosides, amino acids and proteins. The extract showed strong antioxidant capacities and free radical scavenging activity due to the presence of phytochemicals.

Keywords: Phytochemicals, Secondary metabolites, alkaloids, Solanum villosum, DPPH (2, 2’- diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS (2, 2’-Azinobis (3-ethyl Benz Thiazoline-6-Sulfonic acid).