Qualitative phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant potential of germinated seeds of hordeum vulgare

A good antioxidant balance in a biological system helps in maintaining normal physiological homeostasis. Deficiency of these compounds leads to oxidative stress resulting in inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, genotoxicity and cancer. The phytochemicals present in the plants are proved to have potential to produce antioxidant effect. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemicals and to assess the in vitro antioxidant activity of methanol extract of germinated seeds of Hordeum vulgare. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, glycosides, saponins, diterpenes and triterpenes. Significant concentration-dependent antioxidant activity was produced by the extract in both DPPH and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The concentration of 320 μg/mL produced maximum inhibition of DPPH and superoxide radical with an inhibitory per cent of 65.39±1.21 and 57.73±1.64 respectively. The IC50 concentration of the extract was found to be 112.75±5.74 and 28.90±1.85 μg/mL for DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assays respectively. Thus, the methanol extract of germinated seeds of Hordeum vulgare showed the presence of majority of phytochemicals which are proved to possess potent antioxidant activity in scavenging free radicals.