Phytochemical Investigation and in Vitro Anti-Oxidant Activity of Defatted Hydroalcoholic Extract of Roots of Jatropha Glandulifera

Jatropha glandulifera Roxb., a member of the family Euphorbiaceae, is a medicinal shrub widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant has been traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, wounds, skin infections, and gastrointestinal disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the pharmacognostic characteristics, phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant activity of Jatropha glandulifera. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the leaves were carried out to establish diagnostic features for identification and standardization. Preliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity of the plant extract was evaluated using standard in vitro methods such as DPPH radical scavenging assay, which demonstrated significant free radical scavenging potential, indicating the presence of bioactive phenolic compounds. The plant also exhibits reported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anthelmintic activities. However, due to the presence of toxic constituents, especially in the seeds, proper toxicological evaluation is necessary before therapeutic use. The pharmacognostic standardization and antioxidant assessment of Jatropha glandulifera support its potential as a source of natural antioxidant agents and provide a basis for further pharmacological investigations.