Phytochemical screening and in-vitro evaluation of antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of lawsonia inermis leaves

INTRODUCTION Antioxidants have an important role in health, to prevent oxidative stress or oxidation reaction in the body that can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and aging. The present study investigates the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential in Lawsonia inermis. Lawsonia inermis is rich in phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins, steroids, flavonoids and glycosides. It is used in diabetes, Jaundice, leprosy and fungal infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS Standard qualitative tests were performed to detect the presence of alkaloids (Mayer's, Wagner's reagent), flavonoids (Shinoda test), tannins (Ferric chloride test), saponins (froth test), terpenoids (Salkowski test), phenols, and glycosides.The phenol content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu method using gallic acid and flavonoids content was determined by using aluminum chloride colorimetry method assay. While antioxidant activity was carried out by using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ascorbic acid in UV Spectrophotometer. RESULTS Phytoconstituents like alkaloids, tannins, coumarins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids were present while carbohydrate was absent. Total phenolic content in the methanolic leaves extract was found to be highest at 43.56 mgGAE/gm and lowest was found to be 12.89 mgGAE/gm. Total flavonoid content in the methanolic extract was found to be highest 81.28 mgQAE/gm and lowest was found to be 9.23 mg QAE/gm. The methanolic extract of Lawsonia inermis by DPPH Scavenging method with the highest inhibition percentage was found to be 83.86 ug/ml and lowest percentage of inhibition was found to be 49.70 ug/ml respectively. CONCLUSION From the result, it can be concluded that the methanolic extract of Lawsonia inermis contains antioxidant properties with high percentage of free radical scavenging activity. The obtained bioactive compounds should be standardized and developed to reduce oxidative stress related disease and improve the physiological function of the human body.