In Vitro Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Ability of Drosera indica L.

Aim: The present study is carried out to explore the preliminary phytochemical screening and free radical scavenging activity of the whole plant Drosera indica L. Methods: a) Phytochemical screening - The qualitative analysis of secondary metabolites is carried out by the standard qualitative methods. b) In vitro free radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extract of the whole plant Drosera indica L is used for the analysis .Various concentrations (100 – 500mcg/ml) of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Drosera indica L. are used in the various antioxidant assay methods such as reducing power, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) radical,2,2’ azinobis-3 ethylbenzothiozoline-6 sulfonic acid (ABTS+) radical, hydroxyl radical (OH.), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl (DPPH) radical , super oxide radical and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is carried out with the standard protocols. In all the assays ascorbic acid is used as the standard antioxidant. Results: Phytochemical screening of the plants reveal the presence of numerous chemicals including flavanoids, tannins, polyphenols, cardiac glycosides and saponins. The ethanolic extract of Drosera indica L. shows better ability to scavenge ,1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl( DPPH)radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide radical and superoxide radical. FRAP and the reducing power abilities of the ethanolic extract is increased with the increase in concentration of the plant extract. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Drosera indica L. shows better ability to scavenge the free radicals than the aqueous extract. From this study, a conclusion is drawn that Drosera indica L. can have more beneficial effects with respect to the presence of many active secondary metabolites which may likely to combat with the oxidative stress diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardio- vascular diseases and in general boost the immune system.