ESTIMATION OF FLAVONOID, PHENOL CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF INDIAN SCREW TREE (HELICTERES ISORA L.)

Helicteres isora (L.), a South-Asian plant, is a rich source of medicinal and antioxidant compounds and has been widely used in traditional medicine. Antioxidants are important to neutralize damaging free radicals in the body, especially when the systemic defence mechanisms prove insufficient. The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant potential of its fresh and dry plant parts in various solvent systems. Plant material was collected from Karnala forest of Maharashtra. Extracts of leaves, bark, root and fruits (fresh and dry) were prepared using four different solvents viz. Distilled water, Ethanol, Methanol and Acetone. Each extract was tested for total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity by - FRAP, DPPH center dot and ABTS(center dot +) assays while phenolic compounds like Gallic acid, Cathechol, Vanillin, Caffic acid, p-Coumaric acid and Ferulic acid were detected using RP-HPLC. Antioxidant potential was significantly high in dried plant parts than the fresh ones. Leaves showed highest phenolic and flavonoid content (11.47 +/- 0.50 mg GAE/g) and (54.16 +/- 1.22 mg RE/g) with 90.21 +/- 0.57% DPPH. radical scavenging activity. The FRAP and ABTS(center dot+) radical scavenging activity was found considerably high in leaves as well as in roots and fruits. Hence, the dried plant material like leaves, root and fruit when prepared in distilled water and methanol showed best antioxidant activity and holds potential for development into herbal formulation to be used as medicine, though further study is necessary to confirm its activity and suitability within the body.