Screening Of Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Activity Of Some Selected Indian Plants
Abstract
This study investigates the antioxidant potential of five medicinal plants—Cordia obliqua, Lantana camara, Grewia obliqua, Sphaeranthus indicus, and Tinospora cordifolia—which are traditionally valued for their health-promoting properties. Phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolics and flavonoids, using qualitative and quantitative methods. Extracts were prepared using Soxhlet extraction with a 70% methanol solvent, yielding higher concentrations of antioxidants compared to petroleum ether extracts. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetry, respectively. Sphaeranthus indicus exhibited the highest TPC (127.80 mg/g) and TFC (160.85 mg/g), indicating its significant antioxidant potential. Additionally, the DPPH, super oxideradical scavenging and reducing power assays demonstrated the extracts' capacity to neutralize free radicals, supporting their use in natural antioxidant formulations for food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications.
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