Abstract

Hodgsonia heteroclita (Roxb) is an important medicinal plant of Northeast India. The fruit pulp of H. heteroclita is traditionally used as antidiabetic medicine. Due to its pharmacological properties, the present study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical, antioxidant and heavy metal contents of the plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and steroids. The heavy metal content when analysed using Analytik Jena AAS vario-6 Graphite furnace spectrometer revealed highest content of iron followed by chromium and copper. Two toxic metals, cadmium and lead were found within the acceptable range. The antioxidant capacities of alcoholic extract of plant was studied by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, lipid peroxidation scavenging activity assay and phosphomolybdate assay showed significant free radical scavenging potential. Pearson correlation revealed strong relationship between the phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacity of the plant. The present study revealed that the plant extract possessed good antioxidant activity and less quantity of toxic metals, which therefore can be used as a source of natural free radical scavenger. However, further study need to be carried out to know its mode of action.