Since time immemorial the bark of Arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna) has been used in the treatment Sof a variety of cardiovascular disorders. Many of these cardiovascular disorders stem from oxidative stress, therefore in this study we have tried to investigate the antioxidant properties of the aqueous bark extract of T. arjuna. The phytochemical screening of the bark extract was performed for identification of the essential phytochemicals present in it and there after the antioxidant strength was estimated by quantifying the amount of the major antioxidants present in plants, that is, phenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid. Free radical scavenging assay was performed using DPPH free radical and the IC was estimated. On phytochemical screening the bark extract was 50 found to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, sterols and tannins. The total phenol content was found to be 114.5 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of bark. The total flavonoid content was found to be 8.9 mg of quercetin equivalent per gram of bark. The ascorbic acid content was found to be 190 mg per gram of bark. The free radical scavenging assay was performed using DPPH free radical and the IC was found to be 28.69µg/ml.
Antioxidants, Flavonoids, Phenolics, DPPH
Unique Paper ID: 2
Publication Volume & Issue: VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1
Page(s): 9-14