Evaluation of phytochemicals, total phenolics and antioxidant activities of Schefflera spp.(Araliaceae) from southern India

摘要

This study is aimed to evaluate the phytoconstituents and antioxidative activities in leaves and bark of S. racemosa and S. stellata. Phytochemical screening conducted for both plant species indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugars. S. racemosa leaf extracts showed positive results for the presence of steroids. The total phenolic content was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated spectrophotometrically by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power assay. The aqueous extracts exhibited maximum antioxidant activity compared to the nonpolar solvents. A high phenolic content of 149.97±0.08 mg GAE/g of dry extract and potent antioxidant activity (IC50 value = 12.61±0.00 μg/ml) was observed in aqueous leaf extracts of S. stellata when compared to S. racemosa. High reducing ability in the FRAP assay and reducing power assay was also observed in the aqueous leaf extracts of S. stellata.