Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
Mangesh S Hogale, Bibu JK and Usha PTA

Abstract:
Herbal medicines are getting more attention as conventional therapies showing resistance and other side effects. The plant Basella Alba is a leaf vegetable and traditionally used for different medicinal purpose. We investigated methanol extract of whole plant of Basella alba (MBA) for the presence of phytochemicals and antioxidant potential by in vitro methods. On phytochemical analysis, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, phenols, saponins and diterpenes were detected. GC-HRMS analysis indicated the presence of the compounds belonging to class of pyrans, phytol, flavonoids, phenols, glycerides, esters, fatty acids, palmitic acid, diterpens and sterols. MBA showed significant (p < 0.05) concentration dependant DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide free radical scavenging activity as well as total antioxidant activity. The half maximum inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) obtained for DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assays were 22.51 ± 7.81, 105.54 ± 8.53 and 43.123 ± 7.36 μg/mL respectively. Also significant (p < 0.05) increase in absorbance with increase in concentrations was observed during total antioxidant assay. Therefore, the present study designated a dose dependent antioxidant potential of methanol extract of whole plant of B. alba.