Study on Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Achyranthes aspera Whole Plant

Abstract

This study aims to establish qualitative as well as quantitative phytochemical profiles and determine the free radical scavenging activity of phytochemical constituents of the entire plant of Achyranthes aspera Linn. The extraction of dried plant material was carried out by cold maceration with    methanol followed by partitioning with ethyl acetate. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant was carried out by performing various chemical tests. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminum chloride methods, respectively.  Antioxidant activity was studied using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method.  The result of study revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phytosterols, tannins, saponins, phenolic compounds, and carbohydrates. Total phenolic content, total flavonoids content, and antioxidant activity of the extract were found as 209.007 µg GA/mg, 17.59 µg QE/mg, and 25.12% (100 µg/mL), respectively. The study showed that plant could be a source of antioxidant compounds.