Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Hydroalcohol Extract of Mimusops elengi L. Root

Background: Plants have been proven to be offering a wide number of medicinal uses. Mimusops elengi plant is rich in phytoconstituents, present almost in every part of the plant. Roots are the parts on which minimum work has been done. Objective: The objective of the present study was a preliminary evaluation of physicochemical and free radical scavenging activity of Mimusops elengi L. root. Methods: Many standardization parameters like extractive values, total ash value, water-soluble ash value and acid insoluble ash, moisture content, and loss on drying (LOD) of Mimusops elengi L. root were analyzed. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured. Free radical scavenging (FRS) activity was evaluated by assessing DPPH scavenging activity. Results: The results of phytochemicals screening of hydroalcohol extract revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, and tannins. The amount TPC and TFC were found to be 21.63±0.0663 mg of gallic acid equivalent weight/g of extract and 159.0 ± 0.9 mg of quercetin equivalent weight/ g of extract respectively. The extract showed potent FRS activity (IC50 value of 96.13 µg/mL). Conclusions: The present study revealed Mimusops elengi L. Root contains most potent antioxidant agents and has significant FRS activity.