Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and analgesic activities of Croton argyratus ethanolic extracts

Abstract

Series of experiments were conducted to screen phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and analgesic activities of the ethanolic extracts of the plant Croton argyratus. The extracts obtained from leaves, stem and root of the plant were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by means of 2,2- Diphenyl -1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and total antioxidant capacity as well as total phenolic and flavonoid contents was studied. To determine analgesic property of the antioxidant rich extract, and formalin induced pain, hot plate and tail flick test were performed. The leaves extract showed the highest value of antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power and total antioxidant capacity. The leaf extract also produced the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid content and have a significant activity in late phase of the formalin induced pain test at the dose of 200 mg/kg p.o. However, in the hot plate and tail flick tests, the extract did not show any significant analgesic effects. The results suggested the potential use of C. argyratus plant extracts as a natural source of antioxidant and may act peripherally to relieve pain.   Key words: DPPH, reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, peripheral analgesic.