PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND COMPARATIVE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY FROM THE LEAF, ROOT, AND FLOWER EXTRACTS OF JUSTICIA BETONICA L.

Jyothsna Lakshman L; Srinivasulu B; Ramesh M

doi:10.46956/ijihd.v11i3.928

Jyothsna Lakshman L Research Scholar, Dept. of Biotechnology, JNTU Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India
Srinivasulu B Registrar, Kaveri University, Siddipet, Telangana, India
Ramesh M Professor and Head, Dept. of Biotechnology, JNTU Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI https://doi.org/10.46956/ijihd.v11i3.928

Abstract

Oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between reactive oxygen species and intrinsic antioxidant defense, is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds and have immense therapeutic potential due to their antioxidant properties. In the present study, the phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties were assessed from the methanolic extracts of the leaves, roots and flowers from the plant Justicia betonica L. which is traditionally used but scientifically under-explored. Quantitative analysis revealed significant variations in the concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponin in different parts of the plant. Moreover, flowers had the highest amount of extract yield and saponin while leaves contained high concentration of phenolic and tannins. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, superoxide and nitric oxide scavenging assays. All the extracts showed dose dependent scavenging of radicals. The floral extract showed the maximum antioxidant activity in DPPH and nitric oxide assays with the lowest IC50 values, whereas, the root extract was better in superoxide scavenging activity. The findings suggest the high antioxidant activity of J. betonica, especially in its floral parts, indicating its possible application as a natural source of antioxidants in prevention and control of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Justicia betonica, Methanolic extracts, Phytochemicals, Reactive oxygen species

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