Preliminary Phytochemical, Physicochemical Evaluation and Spectrometric Analysis of Selected Indian Plants with Antioxidant Activity

The objective of this research was to develop a polyherbal formulation using three different herbs and to evaluate their phytochemicals, physical constants and determination of their antioxidant activity by DPPH method. Folklore medicine is being re-evaluated by extensive research on different plant species and their therapeutic principles. The PHF authenticated herbs were characterized by studying their morphological and phytochemical analysis. Preliminary screening showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, amino acids and flavonoids in the combination extract. Physical parameters such as loss on drying (LOD), ash values and extractive values have been studied. The antioxidant activity of the combination of extract (100 mg each) was determined using DPPH free radical scavenging method. The results showed that the combination extract has best antioxidant effect at a dose of 300 µg/ml and the % inhibition of PHF is 75.2% and 96.6 % inhibition for ascorbic acid as the reference standard. All the extracts and PHF showed a dose dependent activity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) uses the mathematical process (Fourier transform) to translate the raw data (interferogram) into the actual spectrum. FTIR method is used to obtain the infrared spectrum of transmission or absorption of a fuel sample. The result showed that the PHF has more potent antioxidant activity when compared with individual extract. It also shows that the combination of three different herbs in a single formulation is completely compatible with each other which is determined from FTIR. The presence of heavy metal and minerals in the prepared extracts and PHF where analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the tested minerals and metals were within the specified limit. From the study, the levels of these metals were detected in all three plants and PHF. Presence of heavy metals and minerals in the prepared extracts and PHF were analysed using AAS and were with in the specified limits.