Evaluation of antioxidant potential and reducing power of callus induced from leaves of Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the bioactive molecules and antioxidant potential of callus induced from leaves of Asystasia gangetica. Methods: In this report, the leaves of A.gangetica (AG) were incubated with Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with combinations of auxins and cytokinins for callus induction. The qualitative estimation of bioactive molecules like flavonoids, phenolics, tannins and their antioxidant potential were investigated. The ability of radical scavenging activity and reducing power of methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extract using DPPH, FRAP and Phopshomlybdate assay were carried out. Results: Callus was induced on MS medium supplemented with various concentration and combination of auxins and cytokinins.Maximum percentage of callusing was seen on media supplemented with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyaceticacid 5mg/L or combination of Kinetin 2mg/L and 2mg/L Napthaleneaceticacid.The total phenolic content, flavonoids and tannins in callus were estimated in various solvents. Further, the callus showed the FRAP values of 17.67 ± 0.0, 17.30 ± 1.830 and 23.81 ± 0.945 μg AAE/mg extract for methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extract respectively. Methanolic extract showed highest DPPH scavenging activity and reducing abilty. Conclusion: A.gangetica callus had substantial amount of bioactive molecules exhibiting potent antioxidant activity and reducing ability. Development of appropriate strategies for enhancing the bioactive molecules in callus could have far-reaching implications for isolation of novel antioxidant molecules for human health.