Investigation of the pharmacognostical, phytochemical, and antioxidant studies of various fractions of Dichrostachys cinerea root

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to analyze the pharmacognostical, phytochemical and antioxidant studies of aqueous ethanolic extract, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of Dichrostachys cinerea root (Veerataru). Materials and Methods: The pharmacognostical studies on D. cinerea root including parameters such as powder microscopy, extractive values, ash values, and fluorescence and the phytochemical studies are established. The aqueous ethanolic extract and all the fractions were screened against few free radicals, such as diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical and superoxide anion radical. Results: Powder microscopy revealed the presence of lignified crystal fibers, stone cells, and prism-shaped crystals. All the fractions were rich in steroids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and carbohydrates. High level of total phenolic content (158 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoids (32 mg rutin equivalent/g) was observed in ethyl acetate fraction. Conclusions: It is concluded that the ethyl acetate fraction followed by butanol fraction of D. cinerea root has strong antioxidant potential. Further study is required for the isolation of bioactive component, which may serve as a potent natural antioxidant.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• dichrostachys cinerea
• diphenylpicrylhydrazyl
• phenolic compounds
• stone cells