ESTIMATION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS BY RP-HPLC AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN LEAF AND STEM EXTRACTS OF BARLERIA PRIONITIS L.

In the present investigation phenolic contents and antioxidant potential of Barleria prionitis L. leaf and stem extracts were analyzed by in vitro antioxidant assays and RP-HPLC method. The results indicated that high amount of total phenolics were present in acetone extracts of leaf (20.22±0.57 mg of GAE/g) and stem (21.19±1.25 mg of GAE/g). Highest flavonoid content was observed in ethanolic (44.23±2.82 mg of RE/g) and acetone extracts (44.94±0.85 mg of RE/g) of leaf, while stem extracts were poor in flavonoid contents. RP-HPLC method for determination of specific phenolic compounds was reported for the first time in B. prionitis L. Out of the phenolic compounds tested, Gallic acid was most common and more abundantly present in both leaf and stem of B. prionitis L. Aqueous extract of leaf showed highest extraction capacity for Gallic acid (211.70 μg/g) and Catechol (112.57 μg/g), while Caffeic acid (37.74 μg/g) and p-Coumaric acid (48.66 μg/g) were highest in methanolic extract. The present study indicated strong influence of extraction solvents and plant parts on antioxidant potential of plant extracts as well as quantity and quality of phytocompounds. The stem of B. prionitis L. plants was found to be superior in phenolics and antioxidant potential. RP-HPLC results however noted higher amount and number of phenolic compounds in leaf than stem extracts, indicating presence of other phenolic compounds in stem. Out of the four extraction solvents tested, acetone was best while water was found to be weakest in terms of extraction capacity.