IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF THE TOTAL PHENOLIC, FLAVONOID CONTENTS AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING POTENTIAL OF RUMEX HASTATUS

Objective: The aim of this study was to screen various solvent extracts of leaves of Rumex hastatus to display in-vitro antioxidant activity, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents in order to find possible sources for future novel antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical formulations. Materials and Methods: A detailed study was performed on antioxidant activity of various Rumex hastatus leaves extracts like petroleum extract (PERH), chloroform extract (CERH), ethyl acetate extract (EAERH), methanolic extract (MERH) and aqueous extract (AERH) by in-vitro chemical analysis like DPPH, Reducing power, metal chelating, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assay. All these extracts were also subjected to a preliminary phytochemical screening test for various constituents. The total yield, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents of all extracts were also determined. Results: Phytochemical screening shows the presence of triterpene, flavonoids, polysaccharides, steroids, tannins, cardiac glycoside, reducing sugar, and saponins in all extracts. The MERH exhibited the highest total phenolic content (121.7 ± 5.95 mg of GAE/g extract) and total flavonoid content (165.9 ± 3.99 mg of QE/g extract). IC₅₀ values of ascorbic acid and MERH were found in DPPH (36.64 ± 0.53 µg/ml and 46.78 ± 0.44 µg/ml), metal chelating activity (45.81 ± 0.41 µg/ml and 53.94 ± 0.43 µg /ml), H₂O₂ activity (33.83 ± 1.92 µg/ml and 63.67 ± 1.34 µg/ml) and nitric oxide assay (62.95 ± 0.93 µg/ml and 80.87 ± 1.70 µg/ml) respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that Rumex hastatus leaves act as an antioxidant agent due to its free radical scavenging activity.