In vitro evaluation of phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant properties of methanolic extract of phyllanthus fraternus webster

Antioxidant activity of fresh and dried Phyllanthus fraternus Webster (Euphorbiaceae) plant materials were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from shed dried plant showed strong free radical scavenging activity where inhibition (%) observed in aerial parts was 62.89 ± 0.027. The IC50 value of the aerial portions of the plant is 56.12 ± 0.050 where as catechin is 50.51 ± 0.022 at 20µg/ml. Total Phenol and Flavonoid of the methanolic extracts were estimated. Total phenolic content measured by Folin Ciocalteu reagent in terms of catechol equivalent content was 280mg ± 0.035. The total flavonoid content in the Phyllanthus fraternus was also determined by spectrophotometrically and calculated as quercetin equivalent content was 75.5±0.027. Plant phenolics are highly effective for free radical scavengers and exhibit strong antioxidant activity. Result suggests that the plant has great potential in the drug industry as functional drug ingredient.