Screening antioxidant activity in different parts of plant Achyranthes aspera L.

Abstract

Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) is an annual or perennial native herb that is found all over the Indian subcontinent, usually growing along roadsides or in wastelands of tropical and subtropical continents including Asia, Africa, and America. It is a medicinal weed plant possessing pharmacological potential as a purgative, laxative, mild astringent in bowel issues, anti-fertility agent, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, anti-obesity, hypoglycaemic and wound healing properties, etc. that are inferring towards the potential application of the tested plant part extracts in pharmaceutical industries for manufacturing drugs employed in treatment of various human ailments. The methanol extract of (A. aspera L.) root, stem, leaves, and inflorescence was tested for the antioxidant potential against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and FRAP showing their reducing power (Fe3+— Fe2+ Transformation ability). The current investigation however showed relatively lower hydrogen donating potential than the standard ascorbic acid (AA). The relatively strong hydrogen donating and radical scavenging potential of the methanol extract of both root and stem with a comparatively lower IC50 than the antioxidant potential of the inflorescence with a much higher IC50. On the other hand, roots of the plant showed through FRAP, relatively higher reduction potential in the methanol extract of the root and the least FRAP value was observed in the stem extract of the plant. This study provides evidence to substantiate traditional use of the plant for its hydrogen donating as well as the ferrous ion reducing potential.