PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF ORTHOSIPHON STAMINEUS AND COCCINIA GRANDIS

Abstract

Oxygen is a highly reactive atom that is capable of becoming part of potentially damaging molecules commonly called “free radicals.” Free radicals are capable of attacking the healthy cells of the body, causing them to lose their structure and function. Antioxidants are our first line of defence against free radical damage, and are critical for maintaining optimum health and wellbeing. Present study attempts to evaluate the qualitative analysis and free radical scavenging activity of the n Hexane, Chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of leaves of Orthosiphon stamineus and Coccinia grandis. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, glycosides, terpenoids, anthraquinones, phytosterol, polyphenol, tannins and sterols. Among all the extracts, methanol extract of both the plants showed highest free radical scavenging activity.