Unveiling the antioxidant power: In-vitro analysis of different plant parts of Wrightia tinctoria R. Br.

Abstract

Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defences, is a major contributor to cellular damage and various degenerative diseases. In this study, the antioxidant activity and bioactive compound content of different parts of Wrightia tinctoria were evaluated using chemical assays. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl₃ spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH radical scavenging and Phosphomolybdenum assays. The results showed that leaves exhibited the highest TPC (4072 mg GAE/100g) and TFC (379 mg QE/100g), followed by fruits, stems, and bark. DPPH assay revealed strong radical scavenging activity, with the lowest IC₅₀ value observed in leaves (1.08 mg/ml), indicating the highest antioxidant potential. The Phosphomolybdenum assay further supported these findings, demonstrating significant reducing capacity in the tested plant parts. A strong correlation was observed between total phenolic and flavonoid content with antioxidant activity (R² = 0.9995 for TFC and R² = 0.9791 for TPC), highlighting their crucial role in mitigating oxidative stress. These findings suggest that Wrightia tinctoria. Possesses potent natural antioxidants, making it a promising source for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.