Abstract

Abroma augusta has been used in folk Indian system of alternative medicine, for treating various conditions like diabetes mellitus, amenorrhea, nervous dysmenorrhea, antifertility and dermatitis. The objective of present study was to evaluate the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, polyphenolic compounds and elemental analysis of the ethanol extract of leaves of A. augusta of Malaysian descent for the first time. Qualitative analysis of A. augusta leaf extract showed the presence of reducing sugars, alkaloids, tannins, phenols and flavonoids. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were found to be 15.76±0.16 mg/g gallic acid equivalent and 8.6±0.11 mg/g quercetin equivalent, respectively. Antioxidant activity showed that the IC50 value was 790±3.6 µg/ml and 367.6±16.9 mg/g ferrous sulfate equivalent by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, respectively. Presence of gallic acid, quercetin, ascorbic acid and essential elements such as calcium (Ca), copper (cu), iron (Fe) manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. This study provided ample evidences that A. augusta is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds with good antioxidant activity. Thus, A. augusta may be a great natural source for the establishment of new drugs.