EVALUATION OF TOTAL POLYPHENOLIC CONTENT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC AND AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF CORDIA OBLIQUA FRUITS

The present study was carried out to investigate the phytochemicals, Total polyphenolic content and In-vitro antioxidant activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Cordia obliqua fruits. Objective: To determine the primary and secondary metabolites present in different extracts, to aces the quantity of phenolic compounds by total phenolic content and to evaluate the % inhibition of free radicals by in vitro antioxidant activity of Cordia obliqua fruits Methods: The plant material was extracted with solvents with increasing order of polarity and phytochemicals were identified by different chemical tests. Preliminary phytochemical studies of fruit extracts of Cordia obliqua revealed the presence of phytoconstituents like glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponins, in the extracts. The different concentration of extracts and standard ascorbic was used to identify the scavenging effect by in-vitro antioxidant models. Results: Phytochemical analysis of extracts revealed the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponins. The phenolic content in different extracts was found to be 150.16, 174, and 231.39, respectively. The results of in-vitro antioxidant tests suggested that the ethanolic and water extract of Cordia obliqua possesses strong free radical scavenging activity when compared with that of a well known standard anti-oxidant ascorbic acid Conclusion: literature revealed that free radicals are the reason for oxidative stress; which leads to cellular damage and exhibit impact on its function. Many diseases are associated with oxidative stress. The free radicals are neutralized by phytochemical compounds like tannins, phenols. Cordia obliqua fruit extract possesses significant antioxidant activity due to the presence of phytoconstituents.