Phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activity of methanol extract of leaves of Pergularia daemia

Abstract

The phytochemicals present in the plants are proved to have a good antioxidant potential which is beneficial in maintaining normal physiological homeostasis in a biological system. Deficiency of these compounds leads to oxidative stress resulting in inflammation, genotoxicity and cancer. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant activity of methanol extract of leaves of Pergularia daemia. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, glycosides, tannins, diterpenes, triterpenes, flavonoids and saponins. The extract had produced a significant antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner in DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assays. The maximum concentration used for the study which was 320 μg/mL, produced maximum inhibition of DPPH and superoxide radical of 73.19±1.34 and 68.69±0.56 per cent respectively. The IC50 concentration of the extract was found to be 100.67±7.9 and 39.63±1.41 μg/mL for DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assay respectively. Thus, the study proved a potent antioxidant activity of methanol extract of leaves of Pergularia daemia in scavenging free radicals.