Pharmacognostical Analysis, Quantitative Determination, and in-vitro Antioxidant Activity of Chloris virgata Sw. Whole Plant

An Annual grass Chloris virgata Sw. has been utilized by tribal societies to treat inflammation, rheumatism, and other human ailments; as far evidence is not available regarding the purity, safety, and efficacy of this plant. This is the first study to determine the pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards along with its antioxidant activity by standardized protocols. Organoleptic analysis revealed the presence of different characteristics in the intact parts of C. virgata. Cork cells, lignified cells, xylem cells, calcium oxalate crystals, starch granules, trichomes, stone cells, and spiral xylem vessels were observed from the powder analysis of C. virgata. Physicochemical analysis determined the values of total ash content (10%), acid-insoluble ash content (4.8%), water-soluble ash content (5%), sulfated ash content (7.1%), moisture content (10.19%), and foreign organic matter (3.2%) from the powder of whole plant extract of C. virgata. The green-colored methanol extract has been determined to have a higher extractive yield (0.159%) than the other extracts. Fluorescence analysis revealed different colors, such as grey, brown, light green, etc., under different chemical treatments. Qualitative analysis determined the presence of high phenols, flavonoids, and saponins, whereas other phytochemicals were present in moderate and low amounts in different extracts of C. virgata. Results of the quantitative analysis showed that the methanolic plant extract had the highest total flavonoid (37.0 ± 0.027mg/g), phenolic (30.2 ± 0.034mg/g), and tannin content (28.1 ± 0.007mg/g). Antioxidant properties determined by DPPH and metal chelation assays determined that the methanol extract acts as an effective inhibitor and chelator of metal ions with IC50 values of 53.66 ± 0.001µg/ml and 96.79 ± 0.003µg/ml. The highest ferric-reducing antioxidant activity was revealed in hydroethanolic extract (245.6 ± 0.003mg/g), followed by other extracts. Thus, it can be concluded that the above study results would serve as a basis for establishing the standards of pharmacopeia and in the authentication of medicinally important plant C. virgata.