US EPA

8391379 

Journal Article 

Antioxidant activity, total phenol, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, and saponin contents of leaf extracts of Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell (1972) 

Nithya, TG; Jayanthi, J; Ragunathan, MG 

2016 

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research 

9 

1 

185-188 

English 

Objective: The main aim of the study was to screen the leaf extracts of Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell, a fresh water weed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and also to quantify total phenol, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, and saponin contents to find possible sources for future novel antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical formulations. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of significant phytochemicals were performed by standard methods. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using extracts of aqueous, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether by the diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. Butylated hydroxytoluene, gallic acid (GA), and quercetin (Q) were taken as standard. Results: Among the five different solvents, the maximum antioxidant activity of S. molesta was found in the ethanolic extract (90.3%) followed by other solvents. Total phenolic content measured by Folin–Ciocalteau method was 9.84 mg GA equivalents/g and the total flavonoid contents as measured by aluminum chloride method was 10.89 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g. Alkaloids, tannins, and saponins were measured by standard methods and found in significantly high ranges exhibiting a rich source of phytochemical constituents ensuring the plant as a useful therapeutic agent. Conclusion: S. molesta a fast growing fresh water weed also abundantly available in nature possess significant antioxidant activity and hence can be used as a potent therapeutic agent. © 2016, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. All rights reserved. 

Alkaloid; And Saponin; Antioxidant activity; Flavonoid; Salvinia molesta; Tannin; Total phenol