Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the plant Barleria grandiflora Dalz (Acanthacae) (B.G). Phytochemical screening had shown the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, glycosides, phenolic compounds and flavanoids in ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of the plant. HPTLC finger printing revealed the presence of thirteen and four different constituents in ethanolic and aqueous extacts respectively. Column chromatography on ethanolic extracts resulted in to eight fractions. The total phenolic content was determined by Folin-ciocalteu method. The total phenolic content in ethanolic and aqueous extract was found to be 42.32 and 33.43 GAE/ mG respectively. Using lipid peroxidation inhibition, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging, nitric oxide radical inhibition, ABTS radical scavenging activity, antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract, aqueous extract and fractions resulted from column chromatography were compared using standard antioxidants like ascorbic acid, tocopherol and rutin by calculating IC₅₀ values. Both ethanolic and aqueous extract had shown antioxidant potential. Ethanolic extract and among the fractions resulted out of it, fraction IV and fraction V had shown greater and comparable antioxidant potential to that of standards used. The anti oxidant property of fraction IV and V for various methods was found to be 80.4±1.693 µg/ml and71.3±0.448 µg/ml (LPO), 42.4±0.088 µg/ml and 43.6 ± 0.659 µg/ml (H2O2), 74.9±0.68 µg/ml and 79.1±0.523 µg/ml (NO), 6.2±0.088 and 7.1 ± 0.145µg/ml (ABTS).The total antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic, aqueous, and isolated fractions from column of Barleria grandiflora was measured spectrophotometrically using phosphomolybdenum method. Among ethanolic extract, aqueous extract and the fractions, fraction IV had shown high TAC value 12.1±1.68 mM equivalent to ascorbic acid. This antioxidant potential of the plant may be the reason behind the use of the plant in treatment of oral ulcers.