STUDY OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND THEIR PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY IN HERBAL EXTRACT OF TRIDAX PROCUMBENS
Peenu Mahendra Joshi, Ruchi Acharya, Jaswinder Mehta, Bhawna Sharma, Nidhi Dounde, Prajakta Dadhe
ABSTRACT
Tridax procumbens, a widely distributed weed with traditional medicinal uses, has gained attention for its potential pharmacological applications due to the presence of bioactive compounds. The current study aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tridax procumbens. The plant extract was obtained through maceration using a hydroalcoholic solvent system, yielding 7.2% w/w. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, saponins, diterpenes, and proteins, whereas carbohydrates, tannins, and sterols were absent. Quantitative estimations demonstrated the presence of significant amounts of total phenol (0.253 mg/100 mg) and flavonoid (0.653 mg/100 mg) content, which are known to contribute to antioxidant potential. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH free radical scavenging method, showing concentration-dependent inhibition with an IC?? value of 234.70 µg/mL for the extract, compared to 14.56 µg/mL for the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. Although the extract exhibited lower antioxidant activity than the standard, the results confirm the presence of potent bioactive compounds that could be explored further for their therapeutic benefits. This study supports the traditional use of Tridax procumbens and encourages further investigation into its pharmacological properties, particularly as a natural antioxidant source.
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