Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis and In-Vitro Antioxidant Evaluation of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb from Mizoram, Northeast, India

The current study was aimed to identify the phytochemicals and determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the methanolic leaves extract of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb (MEAP) from Mizoram, India. A. philoxeroides (Amaranthaceae) is an aquatic plant commonly called Alligator weed. Reported pharmacological activities of the plant include antiviral, antinociceptive and antihyperglycaemic activities. Successive extraction was carried out using Soxhlet apparatus with solvents of increasing polarities (Petroleum ether, Chloroform, Methanol). Phytochemical screening of the methanolic leaves extract and in vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assay, reducing power and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. The extract revealed the presence of glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, inulin and saponins. The extract exhibited Ic50 values of 87.06 µg/mL and 89.75 µg/mL for DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging respectively. The plant extract also exhibited concentration-dependent reducing activity. The results from the experiment suggest that the plant under study, possess antioxidant activity and can be opted as a promising source of natural antioxidant compound.