Phytochemical Investigation and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of Different Leaf Extracts of Salix mucronata Thunb.

The present study was aimed to determine the phytochemical constituents of Salix mucronata Thunb. leaf extracts and their antioxidant activities. Dried leaf powder was extracted with MeOH, MeOH (85%), MeOH(70%) and distilled water. The different extracts were monitored for phytochemical screening. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride assays. The antioxidant potential of tested extracts was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays. The results showed that, MeOH (85%) extract exhibited high total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC=131.39±2.49 mgGAE /g ext. and TFC= 67.69±1.47 mg RE /g ext.). Also, MeOH (85%) extract showed high antioxidant activities (DPPH SC50= 98.76±0.46 (μg/ml), ABTS= 45.83±0.32 mm Trolox® eq. /100 gm extract and TAC= 199.18±2.19mg equivalent of ascorbic acid /g ext.). On other hand, EtOAc fraction derived from MeOH (85%) extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity; DPPH SC50= 50.19±0.24 (μg/ml), ABTS= 76.22±1.61(mm Trolox® eq. /100 gm ext.) and TAC= 249.86±3.74 (mg equivalent of ascorbic acid /g ext.). This study demonstrated that, S. mucronata leaf is a good source of natural antioxidants. Also, there is a high correlation between the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity.

Polyphenolic contents of some instant tea brands and their anti-oxidant activities.

Tea which is one of the most widely consumed beverages after water, contains diverse polyphenols such as flavonoids and other catechins. These polyphenols confer anti-oxidant properties on tea with the capacity to slow down or prevent oxidation of other molecules. Ten instant tea brands were tested for purity and anti-oxidant properties. Qualitative tests for anti-oxidant activities were visualized by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) spray. The extent of purity was determined by tests for extractable matter, ash values and moisture content whereas total polyphenolic content was determined by the colorimetric method using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay using rutin, vitamin C and gallic acid as standards. The test with TLC-DPPH spray showed that all ten brands had anti-oxidant components and the tea with the highest total phenolic content had a value of 360.62 ± 31.47mg GAE/g whereas the lowest was 150.76 ± 23.13mg GAE/g in contrast to 33.24 ± 15.89 and 6.47 ± 1.20mg RE/g for flavonoid content. The tea (black tea) with the most potent anti-oxidant activity had a potency value of 5.90 while the least potent (green tea) had a value of 4.20.The results are suggestive of good antioxidant properties of instant tea.

Anticholinesterse and antioxidant investigations of crude extracts, subsequent fractions, saponins and flavonoids of atriplex laciniata L: potential effectiveness in Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders

BACKGROUND: Atriplex laciniata L. was investigated for phenolic, flavonoid contents, antioxidant, anticholinesterase activities, in an attempt to explore its effectiveness in Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders. Plant crude methanolic extract (Al.MeF), subsequent fractions; n-hexane (Al.HxF), chloroform (Al.CfF), ethyl acetate (Al.EaF), aqueous (Al.WtF), Saponins (Al.SPF) and Flavonoids (Al.FLVF) were investigated for DPPH, ABTS and H2O2 free radical scavenging activities. Further these extracts were subjected to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) & butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities using Ellman's assay. Phenolic and Flavonoid contents were determined and expressed in mg Gallic acid GAE/g and Rutin RTE/g of samples respectively. RESULTS: In DPPH free radicals scavenging assay, Al.FLVF, Al.SPF and Al.MeF showed highest activity causing 89.41 ± 0.55, 83.37 ± 0.34 and 83.37 ± 0.34% inhibition of free radicals respectively at 1 mg/mL concentration. IC50 for these fractions were 33, 83 and 82 µg/mL respectively. Similarly, plant extracts showed high ABTS scavenging potential, i.e. Al.FLVF (90.34 ± 0.55), Al.CfF (83.42 ± 0.57), Al.MeF (81.49 ± 0.60) with IC50 of 30, 190 and 70 µg/ml respectively. further, H2O2 percent scavenging was highly appraised in Al.FLVF (91.29 ±0.53, IC50 75), Al.SPF (85.35 ±0.61, IC50 70) and Al.EaF (83.48 ± 0.67, IC50 270 µg/mL). All fractions exhibited concentration dependent AChE inhibitory activity as; Al.FLVF, 88.31 ± 0.57 (IC50 70 µg/mL), Al.SPF, 84.36 ± 0.64 (IC50 90 µg/mL), Al.MeF, 78.65 ± 0.70 (IC50 280 µg/mL), Al.EaF, 77.45 ± 0.46 (IC50 270 µg/mL) and Al.WtF 72.44 ± 0.58 (IC50 263 µg/mL) at 1 mg/mL. Likewise the percent BChE inhibitory activity was most obvious in Al.FLVF 85.46 ± 0.62 (IC50 100 µg/mL), Al.CfF 83.49 ± 0.46 (IC50 160 µg/mL), Al.MeF 82.68 ± 0.60 (IC50 220 µg/mL) and Al.SPF 80.37 ± 0.54 (IC50 120 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: These results stipulate that A. laciniata is enriched with phenolic and flavonoid contents that possess significant antioxidant and anticholinestrase effects. This provide pharmacological basis for the presence of compounds that may be effective in Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders.

Flavonoid Contents From Some Exotic Tree Species Growing In Rajasthan Desert.

Evaluation of flavonoid contents from four selected exotic tree species like Colophospermum mopane, Holoptelea integrifolia, Kigelia pinnata and Putranjiva roxburghii growing in Rajasthan Desert was carried out. The leaves of selected trees were analysed for flavonoid contents i.e. Quercetin and Kaempferol. Flavonoid contents like Quercetin and Kaempferol were isolated and identified. The maximum total flavonoid contents (17.10mg./gdw) was found in leaves of Putranjiva roxburghii while minimum (9.20mg./gdw) in leaves of Holoptelea integrifolia.

Flavonoid Contents From Some Capparidaceous Medicinal Plants of North-West Rajasthan.

Evaluation of flavonoid contents from three selected medicinal plant species of capparidaceae family growing in North–Western Rajasthan was carried out. The leaves of Capparis decidua, Cleome gynandra and Cleome viscosa were analysed for flavonoid contents i.e. Quercetin and Kaempferol. Flavonoid contents like Quercetin and Kaempferol were isolated and identified. The maximum total flavonoid contents (1.16mg./gdw) was found in leaves of Capparis decidua while minimum (0.71mg./gdw) in leaves of Cleome viscosa.