Investigation of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Excoecaria agallocha L.: Critical Overview
Abstract
Mangrove survives in the most hostile environment with fluctuating tidal and saline regime. The present work focused on a detailed study on quantitative estimation of phytoconstituents and DPPH radical scavenging activity of Excoecaria agallocha L., a mangrove from Kattiparambu and Chirackal of Ernakulam District, Kerala. Preliminary phytochemical investigation indicated the presence of biologically active metabolites of leaf, stem and root of the plant in different solvents. Methanol and hexane gave maximum results. Since the plant grows in stress conditions showed the presence of amino acids. Recorded values for high protein in leaf (4.8%), stem (1.93%), Carbohydrate in the root (11.17%) at Chirackal. Phenols (6.02%), flavanoids (3.6%) and tannins (5.68%) was observed in leaf samples of the species at Chirackal. Methanolic extract showed maximum free radical scavenging activity (IC50-141.56 g/ml) in leaf samples and stem showed minimum (IC50-931.3 g/ml) in chloroform extract. The range of DPPH radical scavenging activity in the solvent is Methanol > Ethyl acetate > Ethanol > Chloroform.
