ISSN (Online) : 2277-4572
Author(s): B. Packialakshmi*, V. Vairaprajaa
The aims of this study were to screen the phytochemical compounds and to evaluate in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the ethanolic extract of Abutilon indicum (EtAI) leaves. Abutilon indicum leaves were subjected under phytochemical screening using five different solvents (distilled water, ethanol, acetone, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate) with different polarities. The flavonoid and phenolic content of EtAI was determined using standard biochemical methods. EtAI was assessed for ABTS radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing power and nitric oxide radical scavenging assays. We also analysed the anti-inflammatory potential of EtAI using the inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation assay. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, proteins, carbohydrates, triterpenoids and saponins in EtAI. The total phenolic content of EtAI was 5.82 mg CE/g of extract. The total flavonoid content of EtAI was 7.91 mg RE/g of extract. EtAI exhibited strong scavenging activity in a concentration-dependent manner in all the scavenging assays. The EC50 of EtAI on ABTS, reducing power, hydroxyl and nitric oxide radical were found to be 2.65, 1.94, 3.66 and 0.62 mg/ml, respectively. It also showed excellent anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 227 μg /ml). Our findings provide evidence that the ethanolic extract of Abutilon indicum (EtAI) leaves possess anti-inflammatory activity and is a potential source of natural antioxidants.
