Abstract

PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF CARALLUMA FIMBRIATA

S. Gayathri Devi* and R. Dhamotharan

Abstract

Many oxidative stress related diseases are as a result of accumulation of free radicals in the body. Globally, plenty of research is directed towards finding natural antioxidants of plants origins. The aim of the present study is to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activities of Caralluma fimbriata and screening its phytochemical constituents (crude ethyl acetate and methanol extracts). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid, tannin, saponin, terpenoid and cardiac glycoside in both the extracts except alkaloids in ethyl acetate extract. Total phenolic content of ethyl acetate extract was higher than the methanolic extract. Methanol extract displayed high total peroxyl radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ferric thiocyanate activity (FTC). However, (ABTS) 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) activity was high in ethyl acetate extract. Our results support the potent antioxidant activity of methanol and ethyl acetate extract of Caralluma fimbriata which adds one more positive attribute to its known pharmacological importance.

Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Phytochemical analysis, Caralluma fimbriata, ABTS, FRAP.