CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF OLDENLANDIA PUMILA (L.F.) DC: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY

Medicinal plants are presently viewed as being of great value because of their unique qualities as a significant source of medicinal phytochemicals that might result in the creation of new medications. Oldenlandia pumila (L.f.) DC. belong to Rubiaceae family and found as a weed throughout India. Oldenlandia pumila (L.f.) DC. has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiplasmodial activities. The effects of three different solvents were investigated in the current study to determine the presence of phytochemicals, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant assay. The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids whereas finding the absence of proteins and glycosides in the various extracts. Phytochemical analysis showed that Oldenlandia pumila (L.f.) DC. contained TPC ranging from (82.235 ± 0.005 mg to 424 ± 0.005 mg GAE /g) while TFC ranging from (38 ± 0.006 mg to 336 ± 0.006 mg GAE /g). The TAC ranges from (18.285 ± 0.007 to 89 ± 0.006 mg AE/g) and the TAC ranging from (64.8 ± 0.003 mg to 163 ± 0.004 mg TAE/g). In the DPPH assay, the aqueous extract of stem has the greatest IC₅₀ value and lowest acetone extract of stem. According to the FRAP assay, aqueous extract of leaves had the lowest concentration, whereas methanol extract of leaves had the highest. The present study covers significant pharmacological research on Oldenlandia pumila (L.f.) DC. and phytochemical investigations that might be further studied to reach lead molecules in the quest for innovative herbal medications.