EXTRACTION, PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF ACONITUM HETEROPHYLLUM

Abstract

The roots of the plant Aconitum heterophyllum (A. heterophyllum) are traditionally used for curing hysteria, throat infection, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diabetes and diarrhea. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant activities of roots of A. heterophyllum collected from Bhopal region of Madhya Pradesh. Antioxidant activity was carried out by using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay. The phytochemical screening of root of A. heterophyllum revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenol and saponinsin the hydroalcohol extracts. The percentage yield of hydroalcohol extract of the root of A. heterophyllum was 6.6% (W/W). Quantitative analysis showed that total flavonoids content of roots of hydroalcoholic extract was 1.731mg/100mg. The results of DPPH scavenging activity for root hydroalcohol showed IC50 value 297.05 when compared to Ascorbic acid (standard) which was 18.69. It indicates the plant has the potency of scavenging free radicals and it may provide leads in the ongoing search for natural antioxidants from various medicinal plants to be used in treating diseases related to free radical reactions.