Total Phenolic Content, Anti-Radical property and HPLC profiles ofCaralluma diffusa(Wight) N.E. Br.

The relevance of free radical mediated degenerative diseases resulted in the investigation of total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of Caralluma diffusa. Quantification of total phenolics, tannins and flavonoids were done as they are the major antioxidant agents present in the plants. Antioxidant ability was assessed through various biochemical assays like ABTS+, FRAP, metal chelating and phosphomolybdenum reduction. HPLC analysis was done to determine the active constituents. The total phenolic, tannin and flavonoid content were found in moderate amount but could be efficient enough to act as anti radical agents. The plant extracts revealed good antioxidant activity in all the assays. In ABTS radical assay, ethyl acetate extract showed better activity (809.32 µM trolox equi/g extract). The hot water extract expressed maximum activity in FRAP (805.42 mM Fe II/mg extract) and metal chelating assays (36.93 %) compared to other extracts. Methanol extract showed highest ascorbic acid equivalence (88.88 g/100 g extract) in phosphomolybdenum assay. The methanol extract also revealed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid and ferulic acid or its analogues. This study put forward the efficiency of C. diffusa as a natural agent to fight against free radical and diseases associated with it.