Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract of Ophiorrhiza pectinata using various in vitro methods and the quantitative estimation of phenols and flavonoids in the extract. The total phenolic content of the extract was estimated using Folin-ciocalteu assay and the result was obtained as 41.59 ± 0.51 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dry weight (GAE/g DW) of the extract. Estimation of the flavonoid content was done by aluminium chloride calorimetric method and the result was 21.01 ± 0.73 mg quercetin equivalent per gram dry weight (QE/g DW) of the extract. Antioxidant potential of the extract was screened against free radicals like 1,1-diphenyl–2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, nitric oxide and superoxide. The results of the assays were calculated as the percentage inhibition of these radicals by the extract. In DPPH radical scavenging assay the percentage inhibition was obtained as 64.06 ± 1.12%, in hydroxyl radical scavenging assay the percentage inhibition was 66.67 ± 1.005%, in nitric oxide radical scavenging assay the percentage inhibition was 67.37 ± 1.006% and in superoxide radical scavenging assay the result was obtained as 74.29 ± 1.06%. In all the scavenging assays, the extract showed a dose dependent increase in free radical scavenging activity. The percentage inhibition of the radicals also increased with increasing concentration of the plant extract. The results suggested that the antioxidant efficacy of the plant extract might be due to the presence of phenol and flavonoid compounds that are known for their antioxidant properties. The study also justifies the use of the plant in folklore medicine for the treatment of various ailments. In conclusion, the plant extract can be a potent source of natural antioxidant that can be explored for research and therapeutic applications.