Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Quantification of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Potential of Achyranthes aspera L. Leaf Powder

Abstract

Plant extracts have been used since ages for the treatment of various ailments in India and their market is growing globally as well. Achyranthes aspera is one such promising plant with known medicinal properties. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening is necessary to evaluate the therapeutic and antioxidant properties of the medicinal plants. In the present study, we evaluated the bioactive chemical constituents and their in vitro antioxidant potential of A. aspera leaf extract in different solvents. The soxhlets of A. aspera leaf powder in different solvents – methanol, ethanol, aqueous and chloroform on phytochemical screening showed positive results for carbohydrates, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and steroids. Alkaloids and terpenoids are present in all the extracts except in chloroform extract. Total contents phenols (22.282 gm/100 gm) were found higher as compared to total contents of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids. Moreover, all antioxidant assays confirmed the antioxidant potential of leaves of A. aspera. Thus, A. aspera is rich in phytochemicals that are needed for its antioxidant potential against various disorders.