Evaluation of antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of methanolic extract of Rhodiola heterodanta roots

Abstract

TRhodiola heterodanta belong to the stone crop family Crassulaceae, is an important medicinal plant and food crop in Trans-Himalayan cold desert. It is a well-known medicinal plant in the Amchi system of medicine (Tibetan system of medicine) being used in various ailments like anti-stress, anticancer, radio-protective, adaptogens, anti-inflammatory agent etc. Methanolic extract of R. heterodanta root was investigated in the present study to quantify total Phenolic content as well as anti-oxidant activity. Determination of total phenolic content of the methanol extract of R. heterodanta was achieved using Folin–Ciocalteau reagent. It was found to be 179.42±.63 mg GAE/g plant extract. The DPPH activity of the extract (0.05–0.5 mg/ml) was increased in a dose dependent manner, which was found in the range of (25.38-73.69%) as compared to ascorbic acid (31.48 –77.17%). The IC50 values of methanol extract in DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical and superoxide radical were obtained to be 0.28, 0.27, 0.28, 0.26 mg/ml, respectively. However, the IC50 values for the standard ascorbic acid were noted to be 0.21, 0.24, 0.22., 0.19 mg/ml, respectively. These results clearly indicate that R. heterodanta is effective against free radical mediated diseases and also helpful to draw special attention for further studies.