Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Artocarpus lacucha Leaves In-vitro

Antioxidants, particularly the polyphenolics, defend cells from the oxidative injuries caused by free radicals originated during the cellular biochemical processes. Plants are the natural stock of phytochemicals having antioxidant capacity. This investigation explored the presence of different class of phytochemicals as well as the antioxidant potentials of the crude ethanolic leaf extract (EAL) of Artocarpus lacucha (Fam: Moraceae). All the tests were carried out using established procedures. Antioxidant capacity of the EAL was determined based on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total tannin content (TTC), and DPPH free radical inhibiting activity estimation. Phytochemical tests detected the occurrence of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins in the EAL. The EAL contained 426.11±35.02 mg GAE/g of phenolics, 415.87±12.81 mg QE/g of flavonoids, and 123.48±11.24 mg GAE/g of tannins. In DPPH scavenging test, the EAL showed IC50 value 29.65 μg/mL compared to standard ascorbic acid with IC50 value 9.12 μg/mL. The presence of polyphenolic, flavonoid, and tannin compounds in A. lacucha, may be the likely contributors of the observed antioxidant properties. Further comprehensive study is required to ascertain the specific compound or group of compounds responsible for these effects.