Phytochemical screening and evaluation of antioxidant potentials of some Indian medicinal plants and their composite extract

Four medicinal plants, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Aegle marmelos Correa ex Roxb., Ocimum sanctum Linn. and Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng, have been selected, based on their use in traditional systems of medicine. The comparative phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential evaluation of leaf extracts of individual plants and of their composite extract were done. The results obtained from the study showed the presence of amino acids, anthraquinones, glycosides, saponin, steroids, tannin, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids in significant amount in the leaf extracts which were correlated with their antioxidant capacities. The composite extract of leaves of four selected medicinal plants, elicited higher antioxidant potential as evidenced by enhanced ferric reduction and greater 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical inhibition, irrespective to the content of phytochemicals and polyphenols. We propose that synergic effect of active phytochemicals may be responsible for improved antioxidant as well as radical scavenging abilities of composite extract. Study concludes that using cocktail of herbal formulation may be an advance theme to develop phytomedicines with improved efficacy.