Gloriosa superba linn.

  The Present paper deals with pharmacological aspects and phytochemical screening of G. superba Linn. by Thin layer chromatography. The extract showed the presence of various phytocompounds like alkaloids and flavonoids. TLC profiling of G. superba linn extract give an idea about the presence of various phytochemicals. Different Rf (Retention factor) value of various phytochemicals provide valuable clue regarding their polarity and selection of solvents for separation of phytochemicals. In vitro antioxidant activity was carried out with the extract using Nitric oxide assay with ascorbic acid as a standard. The extract had shown significant antioxidant activity. The results of the Nitric oxide scavenging activity study indicate a concentration dependent antioxidant activity. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was found to be 22.3 ± 3 µg g-1Gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and the flavonoid was 47 ± 5.4 µg g-1 quercetin equivalents. The Nitric oxide scavenging activity of the extract was found to be promising and IC50 of extract was 119.06±.19. It indicates that the hydro alcoholic leave extract of the plant has the potency of scavenging free radicals in vitro and may provide leads in the ongoing search for natural antioxidants from Indian medicinal plants to be used in treating diseases related to free radical reactions. Key words: Thin layer chromatography, Gloriosa superba linn., Antioxidant activity.