PHARMACOGNOSTICAL SCREENING AND DETERMINATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF NELUMBO NUCIFERA GAERTN ETHANOL SEED EXTRACT BY DIFFERENT IN VITRO MODELS

Alok Bhardwaj,Ketan P Modi

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i3.16362

Abstract

Objective: To perform the pharmacognostical screening and determination of antioxidant activity of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn ethanol seed extract by different in vitro models.Methods: The different pharmacognostical parameters were evaluated as per standard protocols with some modifications. The various concentrations of ethanol seed extract of Nelumbo nucifera were evaluated for antioxidant activity using the standard in vitro methods like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging assay, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging assay, reducing power capacity assessment, β-Carotene bleaching assay, ferric thiocyanate method (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay.Results: Extractive values, ash values and moisture content values of Nelumbo nucifera were found to be as per the IP 2007 and Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia standard. Among the four extracts viz. Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous, the ethanol extract showed significant antioxidant activity. The ethanol seed extract of Nelumbo nucifera (NNSE) exhibited high antioxidant activity (IC50 = 12.65 µg/ml) in 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. In FTC method the absorbance of NNSE increased slowly, which shows strong antioxidant ability. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the extract revealed 6 spots with the Rf values 0.41, 0.47, 0.59, 0.65, 0.67, 0.74 with the solvent system of toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (5:4:0.5, v/v/v). The high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the spots at Rf values 0.65 and 0.68. These fractions obtained by preparative TLC also confirmed the same. Conclusion: The present investigation suggested that the NNSE has significant antioxidant activity. These results clearly indicate that Nelumbo nucifera is effective against free radical mediated diseases, thus replacing the synthetic ones.

Highlights

Oxidative stress explains the relation between the free radicals and diseases [1]
The results of H2O2 activity, reducing power, scavenging activity, inhibition of carotene bleaching, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and ferric thiocyanate method (FTC) assay of NNSE revealed antioxidant activity
The broad range of antioxidant activity of NNSE indicates the potential of the seed as a source of natural antioxidants or nutraceuticals with potential application to decrease the incidence of oxidative stress with increased health benefits

Summary

Introduction

The major free radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a dual effect on the metabolism. An imbalance of these radical species results in the damage of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and cell structures [2]. This is associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases like fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes mellitus [3, 4]. ROS are very harmful for body cells They may damage phospholipids bilayer cell membranes and DNA of the nucleus. Antioxidants are one among the various defence mechanisms against oxidative stress [5]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion