Author

Seema Khakhalary and Silistina Narzari*

Abstract

 The  herb Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb (R. serrata)    locally  known  as  Nangal  Bhanga  is  a  medicinal  herb  of  Assam,  India.  It  is  broadly  used  in  traditional  medicine  systems  of  Assam  for  curing  various  ailments  including  hepatitis,  ulcer,  diabetes  and  cancer.  Through  the  present  work  it  was  intended  to  investigate  the  phytochemical  constituents  antioxidant  potential  and  bioactive  compounds  of  R. serrata   leaves.  Crude  extracts  were  obtained  through  Soxhlet  extraction,  using  solvents  of  increasing  polarity,  i.e.,  hexane,  chloroform  and  methanol.  Antioxidant  activities  including  2,  2-diphenyl-1-picryl  hydrazyl  (DPPH)  free  radical  scavenging  and  H2O2  assays  were  performed  using  UV-Vis  Spectrophotometer.  Total  phenolics,  tannins  and  flavonoid  content  were  estimated  following  standard  protocols  for  quantitative  phytochemical  analysis.  Gas  Chromatography–Mass  Spectrometry  (GC–MS)  was  used  to  identify  bioactive  compounds  that  would  account  for  the  above  recorded  activities.  Preliminary  screening  of  phytochemicals  indicated  the  existence  of  alkaloids,  flavonoids,  phenols,  tannins.  Higher  concentrations  of  antioxidants,  phenolics,  tannins  and  flavonoids  were  extracted  in  methanol  solvents  compared  to  the  other  two  solvents.  The  GC–MS  analysis  led  to  identification  of  20  potential  bioactive  compounds  of  which  7  bioactive  compounds  were  detected  in  methanol,  7  in  hexane  and  6  in  chloroform  extract.  Bioactive  compounds  identified  from  leaves  of  R. serrata  are  reported  for  biological  activities  like  antioxidant,  anticancer,  anti-tumor  and  chemo-preventive  properties.  Findings  of  this  study  indicate  that  methanol  extract  is  a  potent  solvent  for  phytochemical  extraction  and  analysis.  Further,  our  study  also  suggests  that  isolation  and  elucidation  of  these  bioactive  compounds  may  play  a  vital  role  to  find  a  new  drug  in  near  future.

Pages: 294-305

Doi Number 10.5958/2455-7218.2022.00042.0

Keywords Antioxidant, Bioactive, Extract, Medicinal, Phytochemicals