Comparative proximate analysis, phytochemical screening and antioxidant study of leaf and root extracts of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn.

Abstract

Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. (DH, family: Asclepiadaceae) is an endemic and endangered plant in India. The plant is commonly known as Swallow root and rarely located in Bangalore, Karnataka . The present study was revea led to establish proximate analysis, phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity on leaves and root methanolic extract of the domesticated DH plant. Moisture content and ash content was estimated for both leaves and roots and gave higher values for leaves (7.4 % and 6.7 %, respectively) than roots. Thereafter, various elements such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, As, K, P, Ca and Na were estimated and revealed absent of non essential heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, As) in leaves whereas below detectable limits of the same was detected for root sample. Various chemical tests for leaves and roots were carried out and revealed presence of flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, carbohydrate and phenols. Furthermore, total phenolic, total flavonoids content was resulted higher for leaves extracts and the same trend followed for antioxidant activity when IC 50 values were compared with standard ascorbic acid and roots extract. Finally concluded that leaves extract had powerful antioxidant properties than roots extracts and the activity was dose dependent manner.