Phytochemistry of Capsicum annum fruit extract is suggestive of its potential antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity

Capsicum annum has been widely used as a culinary in Indian cuisines. Our study aimed at exploring the phytochemistry of the fruit extract and quantifies its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity so that it can be incepted for its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in animal models. For the analysis, Capsicum annum extracts were prepared in aqueous medium by cold maceration. Qualitative and quantitative estimation of phytocompounds was done by referring to standard methods. In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity and membrane stabilization assays respectively which revealed antioxidant activity of aqueous extract. A more detailed quantification of individual phytocompounds was done by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis. The total phenol content in the aqueous extract was 152.11±1.82μg GAE/mg extract and total flavanoids as 70.32±1.89 μg catechin equivalent/mg extract. DPPH free radical scavanging activity was found to be 3.41±0.21 μg/mg of ascorbic acid equivalents, ABTS^+# free radical scavanging activity was 3.70.83±0.43 μg/mg of ascorbic acid equivalents and total antioxidant capacity was 370.83±13.09 μg/mg of ascorbic acid equivalents. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the aqueous extract revealed presence of many phytochemicals majorly capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, n-hexadecanoic acid, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid while HPLC analysis revealed presence of various polyphenols and flavanoids like catechins, quercetin etc., which are reported to have antioxidant and anti -inflammatory activities. Thus, from the present study it can be concluded that Capsicum annum extract possess potential antioxidant activity and can be utilized for its anti-inflammatory action alone or in synergistic action with other medicinal plants.