Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Antioxidant Potential of Hydro-Ethanolic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia Linn

Oxidative stress induced ROS and free radicals are believed to be major cause of degenerative diseases. Naturally occurring antioxidant supplements from plants are vital to counter the oxidative damage in cells. We assessed the antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents of crude hydro-alcoholic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia (EN) using tests involving inhibition of DPPH, H2O2, superoxide anions, reducing power, FRAP and metal chelating activities. The phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents of the extract were also determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods. EN extract showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. A positive correlation between the antioxidant activities and physiochemical assays was observed and the highest scavenging activity of extract was noticed at concentration of 1mg/ml. The percentage inhibition of lipid peroxide at the initial stage of oxidation showed antioxidant activity of 76.15 % compared to those of ascorbic acid (75.6%), BHA (60.8%) and BHT (75.6%). The percentage inhibition of metal chelating capacity of extract and standard was found to be 73.24% and 85.37% respectively. Our findings reveals that the hydro-alcoholic extract of EN leaves possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors or scavenger or, acting possibly as natural antioxidants and this justified its uses as anti-inflammatory, anti-analgesic, anti-anemic, anticancer in folkloric medicines.