Antioxidant Activity of Isolated Flavonoids from the Leaves of Corchorus Aestuans Linn

Preliminary phytochemical investigation of various extracts of leaves of Corchorus aestuans Linn showed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates, saponins, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, cardiac glycosides and tannins. An attempt has been made to isolate flavonoids and perform antioxidant potential of the same. The antioxidant activity was performed by two in-vitro testing methods, such as scavenging activity on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity by EDTA. The data obtained in these testing systems clearly established the antioxidant potency of Corchorus aestuans Linn. INTRODUCTION: Free radicals are considered as important factors in the etiology of cancer, and components with antioxidant activity have received particular attention as potential inhibitors of several cancers . BHA and BHT have been found to be anticarcinogenic as well as carcinogenic in experimental animals. There are reports in the literature saying that BHA appeared to have tumor-initiating and tumorpromoting action . Therefore, there has been considerable interest to develop natural antioxidants from botanical sources, especially edible medicinal plants, to replace synthetic antioxidants due to the long-term safety and negative consumer perception of synthetic antioxidants . The natural antioxidants generally function as free radical scavengers and chain breakers, complexes of prooxidant metal ions and quenchers of singlet-oxygen formation . Corchorus aestuans Linn (Syn. Corchorus acutangulus Lam.), family-Tiliaceae, is an annual herb occurring throughout the hotter parts of the Subcontinent, Indochina, Australia, Tropical Africa, West Indies, and Central America 5, . It is popularly known as Jute. The roots and leaves are said to cure gonorrhea and used in making an injection for urethral discharge. The seeds are stomachic and used in pneumonia 7, . The plant is said to possess anticancer, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, stomachic and digitalis glycosides like action . In the present study, an attempt has been made to isolate new flavonoids from the methanol extract of leaves of Corchorus aestuans Linn and perform the antioxidant potency of isolated flavonoids by two different established in vitro testing systems, such as scavenging activity on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity by EDTA. Correspondence to Author: