PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF THE AERIAL PARTS OF CYPHOSTEMMA SETOSUM (ROXB.)

The objective of the investigation presented here is to explore the pharmacognostical nature, phytochemical characterization and in vitro antioxidant activity of Cyphostemma setosum (Roxb.). Vitis setosa (Roxb.) synonymous to C. setosum (Roxb.), is a herbaceous plant known for its folkloric treatment of ailments and belongs to the family Vitaceae. The aerial parts of the plant were collected
and the pharmacognostic studies including anatomy of the aerial parts of the pant and powder microscopy, were performed. Microscopical examination of the transverse section of the leaf identified the presence of multicellular trichomes and tetracyclic stoma in the epidermal layers of the leaf. The shade dried crude plant drug powder was tested for ash values, extractive values and loss on drying.
The crude drug was extracted with 80 % ethanol and fractionated with solvents of increasing polarity.
The preliminary phytochemical chemical tests were done on various extracts of the powdered dried aerial parts of C. setosum (Roxb.). The phytochemical tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, gums and quinones. These observations will be useful in evaluation of pharmacognostical and phytochemical standards to ensure the purity and quality of this plant. The chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of ethanolic extract of the leaves of V. setosa (Roxb.) were tested for antioxidant activity using in vitro models like nitric oxide radical scavenging study and 1,1-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity. The results revealed that the fractions tested exhibit concentration dependent antioxidant activity. The ethyl acetate fraction predominant antioxidant activity than the other two fractions exhibited, while the chloroform fraction
exhibited showed a minimal or less antioxidant activity when compared with standard.