traditional medicine

The present study was to evaluate preliminary photochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activities of leaves, fruit and stem extracts of Croton macrostachyus Hochst. (Family: Euphorbiaceae) by using different solvents like bdenzene, methanol, carbon tetra chloride and hexane. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, aminoacids and proteins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids. The leaves and fruits extracts were further investigated for its potential antioxidant activity by using readical scavenging DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) technique. Reducing power of C. macrostachyus extracts were also screened and ascorbic acid was used as standard. Methanol extract of leaves and benzene and methanol extracts of fruits were exhibited a noteworthy DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to standard. The results were concluded that extracts have a more secondary metabolites and potential source of antioxidants, which is warranty to evaluate further in vivo pharmacological studies.

In indigenous/traditional systems of medicine, the drugs are primarily dispensed as water decoction or ethanolic extract. Fresh plant parts, juice or crude powder are a rarity rather than a rule.  Total Phenolic content in the extracts measured as gallic equivalent in Ashwagandha (methanolic)  43.77 ± 1.7, aqueous = 42.52 ± 0.8, activity of Trolox by ABTS method IC50 value 428.38 ± 1.90 µg /ml, Total Antioxidant activity by ABTS method in Ashwagandha (methanolic) IC50 Value is 28.353 ± 0.269 mg/ml in  aqueous 32.547 ± 0.532 mg/ml , Free radical scavenging capacity by DPPH in Ashwagandha (methanolic) IC50 Value 2.9  ± 0.09 mg/ml  in aqueous 3.27 ± 0.05 mg/ml. The medicinal plant examined in this study has long been used in Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda as well as many other traditional drug practices of the rest of the world. Withania somnifera, known as ‘Ashwagandha’, has been an important herb in the Ayurvedic and indigenous medical systems for centuries in India.