Phytochemical Screening and In-Vitro Antioxidant Activity of An Herbal Drug ‘Ashwagandharishta’, Estimation of Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents

Abstract

Because of their ability to neutralise free radicals, phenolic compounds have a variety of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant characteristics. Antioxidants are essential nutrients that protect the body from the harmful effects of oxidative stress caused by free radicals. A wide range of free radical scavenging antioxidants can be found in a variety of foods. The study's goal was to find out how much total phenolic content, total flavonoids content, antioxidant activity, and phytochemical screening of herbal drugs. Flavonoids are a type of natural polyphenolic chemicals that humans are unable to produce. These compounds have a variety of biological characteristics and act as antioxidants in biological systems. The Folin-Ciocalteau method was used to determine the total phenolic content. Antioxidant properties were determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The total phenolic and flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically using gallic acid and quercitin as standards. The Herbal drug for the study is purchased from the local markets of Nashik (Maharashtra). 5 percent, 2.5 percent, 1.25 percent, 0.625 percent, 0.3125 percent, and 0.15625 percent concentration samples in water of the herbal medication were prepared for the assessment of antioxidant potential by DPPH assay. As the concentration % rises, so does the antioxidant activity, as well as the overall phenolic and falvonoid content increases. The antioxidant activity is due to the existence of total phenolic and flavonoid content. Conventional methods were used to determine the presence of specific phytochemicals.