PROXIMATE, PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY (IN VITRO AND EX VIVO) OF MORUS INDICA VARIETIES

Plants rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals especially phenolic groups play a protective role in health and disease conditions, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease hypertension etc. by counteracting reactive oxygen species and inhibiting the lipid oxidation. Morus indica is non-toxic natural therapeutic plant used as herbal medicine as hypoglycemic, hypotensive, and diuretic properties. In the present study proximate, phytochemical and antioxidant profile in dehydrated leaves powder of Morus indica varieties, M5, V1 and S36 were estimated. The 100% methanol, 80% methanol (methanol & water, 8: 2), dechlorophyllised, aqueous cold and hot extracts were prepared and their polyphenol content,  antioxidant activity of inhibiting oxidation in oil  emulsion and liver microsomes was evaluated at 300 to 500µg. There was no significant (P<0.05) difference in the moisture, fat and ash content. All the three samples were found to be good sources of major minerals viz. Iron, Calcium phosphorus and also of trace elements like manganese, zinc, copper, potassium.S36 found to be rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants. The polyphenol content was in the order of The polyphenol content of the extracts was in the order of dechlorophylised>Methanol> 80% methanol > Aq. c old and hot. In oil emulsion, no significant difference in inhibiting oxidation was observed in methanol and 80% methanol extracts, whereas in dechlorophylised, aq. cold and hot extracts V1 and S36 showed higher activity. In microsomes, S36 variety was more potent in inhibiting oxidation in all extracts except Aq. cold. S36 was found to be good source of phytochemicals and showed more potency in inhibiting the oxidation in two food and biological systems.