ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate and compare the phytochemicals, antioxidant activities of various crude extracts from fresh leaves of locally available plant Michelia champaca belonging to family Magnoliaceae. Methods: The present study was designed to perform preliminary phytochemical (qualitative and quantitative) analysis of various extracts. The crude extracts from the leaves of M. champaca were prepared using various organic solvents viz. Methanol (MCMET), Ethanol (MCETH), Hexane (MCHEX), and Chloroform (MCCHLO). In addition, total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents of various extracts were also measured along with the evaluation of the antioxidant capacities using most widely accepted in vitro chemical tests such as DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. Results: The methanolic extract of M. champaca showed the presence of maximum phytochemicals (12) when compared to other solvent extracts viz. Hexane (10), Ethanol (8) and Chloroform(7). The amount of phenolic and flavonoids present in solvents were in the order of Methanol>Hexane>Ethanol>Chloroform. The best antioxidant potential was found in the Methanol extract. The Methanolic extract exhibited an IC50 value of 72.03µg/ml (DPPH) and of 185.21µg/ml (ABTS), respectively for the two radical scavenging assays. Conclusion: Phytochemical analysis of M. champaca (leaves) various extracts showed good amounts of phenolic and flavonoid contents and also exhibited significant antioxidant activity. A positive linear correlation between the antioxidant activities and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the plant extracts was observed. Study revealed variations in such reported activities due to different organic extraction solvents used. In overall conclusion, Michelia champaca has good potential as a source of natural antioxidant for animal health and food industry and further relevant studies on similar lines would be worthwhile.