Antioxidant activity and functional group analysis of Evolvulus alsinoides.

OBJECTIVE

AMany oxidative stress-related diseases occur as a result of the accumulation of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are generated by various endogenous systems, exposure to different physiochemical conditions, or pathological states. A balance between free radicals and antioxidants is necessary for appropriate physiological function. A lot of studies are going on worldwide directed towards finding natural antioxidants of plant origin. FTIR spectroscopy is used to develop a rapid and effective analytical method for studying the main constituents in medicinal plants. The chemical constituents in the plants were identified and monitored for their medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities and FTIR spectroscopic analysis of the ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides.

METHODS

Free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract of the whole plant of E. alsinoides was evaluated by in vitro methods, including total antioxidant assay (FRAP method) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity using ascorbic acid as a standard. The degree of lipid peroxidation was examined by estimating the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) using standard methods and the functional groups were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. The IR spectrum in the mid-infrared region 4 000-400 cm(-1) was used for discriminatio and to identify various functional groups present in E. alsinoides.

RESULTS

The findings indicated the presence of amino acids, amides, amines, carboxylic acids, carbonyl compounds, organic hydrocarbons, and halogens in the ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides, and the antioxidant activities were significantly increased, when compared with the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid, in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated promising antioxidant activity of the crude extract of E. alsinoides, and needs further exploration for their potential effective use.