In vitro parameters used in evaluation of flavonoids and phenols contents of Citrullus species fruits.

Abstract

The Citrullus lanatus is commonly known as watermelon belonging to family Cucurbitaceae. Traditionally, the plant has been used as anticancer, antibacterial, demulcent and diuretic. The review of literature available online suggested that geographical variation wise quantitative determination of total phenols and flavonoids in plant material has not been carried out. Thus, it was planned to quantify total phenols and flavonoids content in this plant collected from different geographical places of India such as Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. The various extract and fractions were prepared separately using Soxhletion and reflux techniques, respectively, as per standardized procedure. The extracts/fractions were subjected to preliminary phytochemical testes. The various crude extracts/fractions were subjected to quantitative determination of total phenols and flavonoids content using well established procedures known as FolinCiocalteu’s assay and aluminium chloride assay, respectively. The ethyl acetate fractions of Citrullus lanatus fruits obtained from different geographical sites contained higher content of total phenols and flavonoids than their respective acetone extract and ethanol extract. Amongst various extracts/fractions of tested samples of plant, Rajasthan sample contained higher content of total phenols and flavonoids followed by Punjab and Haryana samples. As preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanol and its ethyl acetate fractions showed presence of phenolic and flavonoids constituents. Thus, it can be also concluded that these compounds may be responsible for scientifically reported pharmacological profile of this plant.