Phenolic

The present work on the leaves of Argyreia speciosa Sweet (Convolvulaceae) has led to the pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters. Macroscopical and microscopical characters, micrometry, physio-chemical constants, quantitative microscopy parameters, extractive values, carried out. The study also deals with the phytochemical screening of with various extracts. The total phenolic (TPC) and Total flavonoids contents (TFC) in leaves of Argyreia speciosa were studied with the aim of drawing the standards. The leaf is heart shaped upto 12.0-17.1-20.3 X 11.9-15.45-23.7 cm across, back with white shiny hairs on the lower surface, glabrous above, tomentose beneath and long stalked. Microscopically the leaves show cuticle, lignified xylem (3.48-5.10-7.43µ), phloem (1.45-2.85-4.25µ), starch grains, upper and lower epidermal cells were identified. Unicellular pointed tip trichomes are numerous and present on dorsal side abundantly. The palisade cells are rectangular in nature up to 10.32-13.41-16.50X1.93-2.77-3.57µ. The preliminary investigations showed that the moderate presence of terpenes, flavonoids, steroids, phenols and tannins. The TPC found to be, 173.55+0.017 mg (gallic acid equivalent/g) and TFC 134.07+0.123 mg (quercetin equivalent/g). In addition, total tannin content (TTC) determined by back titration with potassium permanganate and, was found as 087.00+0.17mg (tannin equivalent/g). In study TPC, TFC and TTC are significant and prove that, leaves are rich in estimated phytoconstituents and may have pharmacological importance.

The aim of the current study was to assess the antioxidant potential, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of crude extracts of Artabotrys crassifolius. The leaves and barks of Artabotrys crassifolius were extracted sequentially with hexane, chloroform and ethanol. The corresponding crude extracts obtained were then subjected to TPC, TFC, ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays. Among the extracts tested, ethanol extracts of barks and leaves showed promising radical scavenging activity which necessitates further isolation and characterisation of the bioactive compounds present in the respective extracts.

Oxidative stress caused by free radicals is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases.  In order to continue the other plants with potential benefits with free radical scavenging properties, researchers start looking forward for exploring new plants with rich in flavonoids and polyphenolics. These constituents possess not only free radical scavenging properties but also they are highly safe in the treatment of many diseases/disorders. In one of the field survey, it was identified that Sesbania grandiflora(Linn) was extensively used by folklore practitioner for treating many human ailments such as flatulent-colic, astringent, cooling, bitter, tonic, anthelmintic, febrifuge, dyspepsia, diarrhea and gastralgia, pain, nyctalopia, anaemia, emaciation. Even the plant is a rich source of antioxidants such as phenolics and flavonoids. However, scientific information about the plant and concentration of these constituents was not updated. Hence it was planned to undertake the plant of the present study for its spectrophotometric determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents from 70% alcoholic extract of flowers of Sesbania grandiflora using Catechol and Quercetin as reference standard. It was observed that, 70% alcoholic extract of flowers of Sesbania grandiflora(Linn) showed 64.0mg/G of total phenol equivalent to catechol and 28.80mg/G of flavonoidal content equivalent to quarcetin standard.  Hence it may be concluded that the plant many be potential source of antioxidant principles such as phenolic and flavonoid. Furthermore, the plants possessing these antioxidants can be highly beneficial for the treatment of many common human ailments. Key-Words: Catechol, Flavonoid, Phenolic, Quercetin, Sesbania grandiflora(Linn).