Phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of methanol extracts of rosary pea (Abrus precatorius Linn.) Leaves

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been implicated as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases due to over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which lead to damage to cellular components, ultimately causing cellular dysfunction. This study was carried out to evaluate the more potent leaves extract of Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius L) with higher phytochemical and antioxidant property. The extract was obtained by maceration process using methanol. The free radical’s scavenging effect was determined by in vitro antioxidant assays, using 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH) method. The phytochemical analysis of the leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponin, tannin and several polyphenols. Different concentrations of extracts (mg/ml) were prepared and used to evaluate antioxidant activity as a percentage inhibition. The antioxidant results showed that percentage inhibition of DPPH by methanol extract and L- Ascorbic acid were 48.47 ± 16.22% inhibition and 54.59 ± 17.58% inhibition at 40, 80, 120, and 160mg/ml, respectively. The IC50 for L-Ascorbic Acid is 89.50 mg/ml and that of the extract is 105.20 mg/ml. Methanolic extract of Abrus precatorius showed good inhibition at (p<0.05) due to high phenolic content in the leaf extract. It was concluded that methanolic extract of leaves of Abrus precatorius plant exhibited potent in vitro free radical scavenging activity.

Key words: Abrus precatorius L., phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, L- ascorbic acid and free radical scavenging activity