Phytochemical Analysis, In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Simarouba glauca Seeds

Abstract

Traditional Indian medicinal plant Simarouba glauca is a highly sacred plant known as “Paradise Tree or Lakshmi Taru” which is recognized for its pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties. The present study was envisaged to know the in vitro phytochemical, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of S. glauca seeds. Petroleum ether was used as a solvent to extract plant material using hot extraction method. In our investigation, phytochemical analysis was carried out qualitatively and quantitatively and for the evaluation of antioxidant profile carried out in vitro studies on free radical scavenging potential by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, decolourization potential of 2,2’-azino-bis[3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay were determined in in vitro studies. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of this plant was positive for flavonoids, fatty acids, proteins, steroids and terpenoids and in quantitative analysis total flavonoid content was 17.32±0.12 mg/μg quercetin equivalent, total proanthocyanidin content exhibited 62.91±0.61 µg catechin equivalent, total phenol content exhibited 17.75±5.82 μg gallic acid equivalent and the total flavonol content was 1.54±0.01 µg quercetin equivalent of the extract. In the antioxidant profile, the maximum DPPH scavenging activity exhibited was 74% with an IC 50 value 137.89 µg/mL, the maximum ABTS scavenging activity exhibited was 35% with an IC 50 value 337.29 µg/mL and FRAP scavenging activity exhibited 62.5 µg/mL as ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE/ml) concentration. These findings evidenced that, the petroleum ether extract of S. glauca seeds has potential source of natural antioxidants and can be used it as therapeutic medicine.