PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND COMPARATIVE ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS LEAF EXTRACTS USING IN VITRO ASSAYS

This study investigates the in vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Alternanthera sessilis. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, and total phenolic content (TPC) estimation. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids. The methanolic extract exhibited higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (72.4% at 800 µg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (60.3%), with a lower IC₅₀ value indicating greater potency. The total phenolic content was also higher in the methanolic extract (82 mg GAE/g extract) than in the aqueous extract (60 mg GAE/g extract). Additionally, the reducing power assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity, with the methanolic extract showing superior reducing ability. These findings suggest that Alternanthera sessilis is a promising natural source of antioxidants with potential applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations.