Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Activity on Aerial Plant of Nelumbo Nucifera Flowers

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Family -Nymphaeaceae) commonly known as Indian lotus. Also known as the sacred lotus has been used in the indigenous system of medicine. Phytochemical constituents, free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity of various extracts of Nelumbo nucifera flowers were carried out in the study. Phytochemicals were extracted from Nelumbo nucifera flowers using various solvents such as aqueous, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methanol and petroleum ether. Screening of phytochemicals showed positive results for the presence of flavanoids, alkaloids, phenols, glycosides, carbohydrates and tannins. Phytochemicals were best extracted in methanol. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was measured in terms of reducing power and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. The methanolic extract was found to possess comparatively higher antioxidant properties. So, the present data suggests that methanolic extract of lotus flower constitute significant amounts of phytochemical compounds and are good source of antioxidants.