Evaluation of phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and elemental content of Adiantum capillus veneris leaves

The Adiantum capillus veneris was screened for phytochemicals and metal content. The antioxidant activity was also determined by different methods. It was observed that it contains 8.3 % moisture, 11.44 % ethanol extractable matter and 24.00 % water extractable matter. The soxhlet extraction of Adiantum capillus veneris showed the presence of phenolics and terpenoids (2.73 %), fats and waxes (0.20 %), alkaloids (0.53 %), quaternary and Noxides (26.33 %) and fiber (67.23 %). Ten elements Mg, Ca, K, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, Ni, Cu, and Zn were determined from plant sample using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) technique among which Ca and K were found to be at major level. Adiantum capillus veneris leaves contain 224.76 mg FA/gm dw of phenolics and 49.62 mg equi Rut/gm dw of flavonoids in aqueous extract. The ethanol extract showed good antioxidant activity as compared to standard i.e. ascorbic acid, it exhibits low IC50 value 0.3986 mg/gm for DPPH assay and 0.695 mg/gm for ABTS assay. Results obtained indicated that Adiantum capillus veneris leaves are endowed with free radical scavenging molecules and it can be used as a potential source of natural antioxidants and nutrients.