PHYTOCHEMICAL AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ASSAY OF FUMARIA OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT

Abstract

Biologically active compounds from natural sources are of interest as possible new drugs for different diseases. Over many centuries humans have been mining the bounties of nature for discovering natural products that have been used for the treatment of all human diseases. Fumaria officinalis (F. officinalis) belongs to family papaveraceae and is traditionally used to treat hypertension, hepatitis diabetes, many inflammatory and painful-ailments. The aim of the present study was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activities of leaf of F. officinalis collected from Bhopal region of Madhya Pradesh. Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents and quantitative analysis of total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. Quantitative analysis of phenolic and flavonoids was carried out by Folins Ciocalteau reagent method and aluminium chloride method respectively. The In vitro antioxidant activity of Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanolic extract of the leaf was assessed against DPPH, H2O2, and reducing power assay method using standard protocols. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids and steroids. The total phenolics content of leaves methanolic extract was (169.16mg/100mg), followed by flavonoids (202.33mg/100mg). The activities of all leaves extracts against DPPH, H2O2 and reducing power assay method were concentration dependent. The diverse array of phytochemicals present in the plant thus suggests its therapeutic potentials which may be explored in drug manufacturing industry as well as in traditional medicine.