title: Phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. Stem (Amaranthaceae).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Aerva lanata (A. lanata) stem.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the preliminary phytochemical analysis, the aqueous extract of A. lanata was screened for the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, phenolic compounds, oil and fats, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and phytosterols. Antioxidant activity of the extract was determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, metal chelating activity, reducing power activity and DNA damage inhibition activity. Analysis of phenolic compounds was performed by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent method and gradient high performance liquid chromatography technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary phytochemical analysis exhibited the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and phytosterols as major phytochemical groups. The extract exhibited high 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (IC(50)= 110.74 μg/mL), metal chelating activity (IC(50)= 758.17 μg/mL), reducing power activity and DNA damage inhibition efficiency. The extract was reported to possess a high amount of total phenolic content and some of them were identified as gallic acid (3,4,5-OH), apigenin-7-O-glucoside (apigetrin), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin) and myricetin (3,5,7,3,4,5-OH) by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. The extract was found non toxic towards human erythrocytes in the hemolytic assay (IC(50) = 24.89 mg/mL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results conclud that A. lanata stem possesses high antioxidant activity and can be used for the development of natural and safe antioxidant compounds.
authors: Molecular and Microbiology Research Laboratory, Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu - 632 014, India.
authors: Gaurav
authors: G
authors: Kumar
authors: Loganathan
authors: L
authors: Karthik
authors: Kokati Vankata Bhaskara
authors: KV
authors: Rao
mesh_terms: D027703:Amaranthaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010851:Picrates / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013634:Tannins / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002614:Chelating Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010636:Phenols; D010840:Phytosterols; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D013634:Tannins; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl