Analysis of the antioxidant activity and caffeine content of Barbula indica (Hook.) Spreng. (Bryophyta; Pottiaceae)

Abstract

The current research aims to investigate the phytochemicals of Barbula indica in different solvents, its antioxidant properties and quantification of the caffeine content in a methanolic extract by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The total alkaloid content was higher in the methanolic extract, 32.06±0.28 mg/g. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by using DPPH and NOSA; the IC50 values of DPPH and NOSA were 61.09±1.26 µg/mL and 58.04±0.46 µg/mL, respectively. TLC and HPTLC are advanced standardization procedures that provide quantitative and semi-quantitative data about the active compound present in a sample. The development of such a biochemical fingerprint can be used to differentiate the species and adulterants through the analysis of phytochemical content and thus can serve as biochemical markers in pharmacological research and studies related to plant systematics.