In vitro Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antioxidant activity of Cichorium intybus

The present investigation was carried out to study the phytochemical analysis and evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential of Cichorium intybus leaves. The hydroethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extract of Cichorium intybus leaves were prepared to evaluate the qualitative phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activity of Cichorium intybus leaves. In vitro antioxidant potential of leaf extract was assessed by using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay with ascorbic acid as standard. Hydroethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts gave 18.6 %, 9.05 % and 21.65 % yield respectively. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, reducing sugar, glycosides, proteins, fixed oils and fats, respectively in all the extracts prepared, except reducing sugars and proteins which were absent in aqueous extract. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, hydroethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extract gave IC₅₀ of 307.88 μg/ml, 471.79 μg/ml and 1286.28 μg/ml, respectively. In ABTS assay, IC₅₀ obtained was 263.31 μg/ml, 461.51 μg/ml and 317 μg/ml, in hydroethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Thus, it is concluded from this study that Cichorium intybus possess various active principles and the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Cichorium intybus revealed maximum antioxidant activity due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols.