Elucidation of Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Potential of Some Selected Plant Species of Family Asteraceae

Deepti Rawat, P.B. Rao

Abstract: Fourteen wild plant species of family Asteraceae were selected to assess their pharmaceutical potential with the following objectives: Antioxidant properties were investigated by using three different methodologies such as DPPH free radical scavenging, Phosphomolybdenum (Total Antioxidant Activity, TAA) and FRAP assays. Quantitative phytoconstituents were examined by total phenol and total flavonoid contents. Among the selected plant species, maximum DPPH activity ( %) was observed in aqua methanol and aqua acetone extract of Eclipta alba and Lagascea mollis, and FRAP in Vernonia cinerea and Ageratum houstonianum whereas TAA was in Erigeron bonariensis and Emilia sonchifolia, respectively. The Total Phenol Content (µg GAE/ mg) was highest in Erigeron bonariensis and Gnephalium pensylvanicum; while TFC (µg QE/ mg) was maximum in Xanthium strumerium and Ageratum houstonianum in aqua methanol and aqua acetone, respectively.

Keywords: Medicinal plant, free radicals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and Asteraceae