Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and FTIR Spectroscopic Analysis of Bark Extracts of Psydrax dicoccos Gaertn.

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Psydrax dicoccos Gaertn., a vulnerable plant according to the IUCN Red List, holds diverse cultural and practical significance in India. This study explores the antioxidant potential of its bark, rich in phytoconstituents like saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts were analyzed for total polyphenol and flavonoid content, demonstrating 70.77 ± 1.92 and 88.29 ± 2.18 mg catechol equivalent per gram, and 212.85 ± 2.61 and 745.53 ± 3.93 mg quercetin equivalent per gram, respectively. Antioxidant assays, including DPPH and ABTS, revealed the bark's significant scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 73.68 μg/ml and 35.65 μg/ml for the aqueous extract, and 56.06 μg/ml and 16.6 μg/ml for the ethanolic extract. The reducing power assay showcased a notable reducing capacity, while the CUPRAC assay demonstrated antioxidant potential, equivalent to 127.9 ± 5.76 and 573.4 ± 5.09 mg Ascorbic Acid per gram for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. The phosphomolybdenum method indicated antioxidant capacity, with values of 223.02 ± 1.87 and 188.40 ± 1.88 mg Ascorbic Acid equivalent per gram for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts. FTIR analysis identified various organic compounds, including alcohols, phenols, carboxylic acids, and aromatics in the bark extracts. This comprehensive investigation underscores the therapeutic potential of Psydrax dicoccos bark, offering valuable insights into its antioxidant properties and chemical composition. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of medicinal plants, emphasizing their role in traditional practices and potential applications in preventing or treating oxidative stress-related ailments.