Phytochemical and Antioxidant Studies on Methanolic Extract of Gmelina asiaticaLinn Stem

To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Gmelina asiaticastem which is locally used for the treatment of various diseases. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract of the plant was assessed against 1,1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), the ferric reducing agent. Total phenolics, flavonoids were also determined to assess their corresponding effect on the antioxidant activity of this plant. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannin, alkaloid, steroids, glycosides and saponins. The results exhibited a positive li near correlation between these polyphenols and the free radical scavenging activities. The activities of plant extract against DPPH, NO radicals were concentration dependent with IC 50 value of 18.38 and 78.18µg/mL respectively. The reducing power of the extract was 8 4.15 µg/mL. The total phenolics content of the methanolic extract of stem was 4800±24.53 and the total flavonoid content was 28.54 ± 0.18 QE/g. Our findings provide evidence that the crude methanolic extract of Gmelina asiatica is a potential source of natural antioxidants and this justifies its uses in folkloric medicine.