Evaluation of Achyranthes aspera Linn. Extract for Phytochemical Content and in vitro Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and In-vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic leaf and stem extracts of Achyranthes aspera Linn. Study Design: This study is design as an experimental and laboratory based In-vitro methods. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biotechnology, Dr. D.Y. Patil ACS College, Pimpri, Pune, India, conducted between July 2024 and March 2025. Methodology: Achyranthes aspera plant samples were shade-dried, powdered and extracted using methanol. Phytochemical screening was performed for alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, and steroids. The antioxidant activity of Leaf and stem of A. aspera (Linn.) was assessed with the help of various In-vitro antioxidant assay systems as 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, reducing power assay and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while the total flavonoid content was estimated by the aluminum chloride spectrophotometric method. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and terpenoids in both extracts. The leaf extract exhibited higher TPC (374.93±1.23 mg GAE/g) and TFC (98.12±0.27 mg QE/g) compared to the stem extract (270.23±1.12 mg GAE/g; 93.34±0.21 mg QE/g). Antioxidant assays revealed concentration-dependent activities. The leaf extract demonstrated lower IC₅₀ values in DPPH (316.14±2.95 μg/mL) and H₂O₂ scavenging assays (551.05±8.41 μg/mL) compared to the stem extract (497.32±5.82 μg/mL and 604.06±9.39 μg/mL, respectively), which indicates stronger antioxidant efficacy. Both extracts showed significant ferric reduction activity, with the leaf extract possessing more efficient than the stem extract (P<0.05). This results indicated that the direct correlation among antioxidant potential, total phenolics and flavonoids content. Conclusion: These findings conclude the traditional use of A. aspera and highlight its potential as a natural source of antioxidants for managing oxidative stress-related disorders. And can serve as alternatives to synthetic drugs. Further research is needed for the identification of active molecules and In-vivo validation.