Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Phytochemical Profiling of Acalypha indica Linn.

In vitro antioxidant activity and phytochemical profiling of the methanol extract of the aerial part of Aclypha indica Linn. (Family-Euphorbiaceae) were investigated. Extract showed the presence of phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, saponins, quinines, anthroquinones, tannins, resins, glycosides, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, volatile oils and phenolics. However, coumarins and terpenoids were absent. TLC of the extract on Silicagel 60 F₂₅₄ pre-coated TLC plate using Hexane: Chloroform: Methanol (3:5:0.2) as mobile phase, showed four spots (Rf: 0.13, 0.31, 0.76, 0.90) under visible light and on exposure to iodine vapour, six spots (Rf: 0.13, 0.31, 0.43, 0.46, 0.79, 0.90) were observed. Total phenolic content of the extract was 18.2mg/g. Total reducing power of the extract increased with increasing concentration which indicated that the plant has inherent antioxidant potential. The extract at a concentration of 250μg/ml showed maximum activity of 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) (81.15%) followed by nitric oxide (75.51%), hydroxyl (72.30%) and superoxide (71.14%) radicals. The half inhibition concentration (IC50) of DPPH, nitric oxide, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals were 28μg/ml, 23μg/ml, 45μg/ml and 48μg/ml respectively. The findings suggest that the methanol extract of A. indica possesses significant free radical scavenging activities in different in vitro models and could be a potent source of natural antioxidants.