ESTIMATION OF TOTAL FLAVONOIDS AND TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENTS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF PTEROCARPUS SANTALINUS LINN

Plants and plant-based medicaments are the basis of many of the modern pharmaceuticals we use today for our various diseases. Pterocarpus santalinus Linn (Fabaceae) is a small to the medium-sized deciduous tree is widely distributed in the tropical regions of the world. The plant is mainly used to cure skin ailments, cough, hyper nervous activity and is also used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective agent. The present study aimed to determine qualitative and quantitative phytochemical and in-vitro antioxidant activities of the leaf of P. santalinus. Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents and quantitative analysis of total phenol and flavonoids were determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. Quantitative analysis of phenolic and flavonoids was carried out by Folins Ciocalteau reagent and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The in-vitro antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of the leaf was assessed against the DPPH assay method using standard protocols. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, diterpenes, phenol, protein, saponins, and tannins. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of P. santalinus leaves of the hydroalcoholic extract was 0.935 and 0.900mg/100mg respectively. The activities of hydroalcoholic leaves extract against DPPH assay method were concentration-dependent with IC₅₀ values of ascorbic acid and extracted 14.23and 42.56μg/ml, respectively. These studies provided information for standardization and correct identification of this plant material. The diverse array of phytochemicals present in the plant thus suggests its therapeutic potential, which may be explored in drug manufacturing and traditional medicine.