Successive Extraction, Phytochemical Profiling, and In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Bridelia retusa (L.) Spreng. Leaf Extracts

Objective Bridelia retusa L. Spreng. a medicinal plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family is commonly used in India for treating various diseases. The present study investigated the antioxidant potential of different extracts ofnbspBridelia retusanbspL. Spreng. leaves in cell free systems in vitro.Method Dried coarsely powdered leaves of Bridelia retusa L. Spreng. were successively extracted with polarity graded solvents such as petroleum ether chloroform ethyl acetate in a Soxhlet apparatus followed by maceration with water. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH 2 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing power assays with ascorbic acid as the standard.Results A progressive increase in radical inhibition activity was observed with increasing concentrations of chloroform extract of Bridelia retusa L. Spreng. demonstrating effects similar to the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid.Conclusion The chloroform extract of Bridelia retusa L. Spreng. leaves exhibited significant antioxidant activity comparable to the standard antioxidant.