Secondary metabolite estimation and antioxidant potential assessment of purple bell Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anderson

Abstract

To quantify the aqueous and methanolic extracts for primary and secondary metabolites, and the antioxidant potential of leaf extracts of the Thunbergia erecta plant and to adopt them in Ayurvedic medications for various illnesses. Primary metabolites like carbohydrates, proteins, and secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, total phenols, and tannins were estimated using standard procedures. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), hydrogen peroxide, and phosphomolybdenum free radical scavenging activities were employed to evaluate the antioxidative potential. The phytochemical examination of T. erecta exhibited the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, alkaloids, total polyphenolics, flavonoids, and tannins in significant quantity. The in vitro antioxidant potential of the species, clearly verifies that methanolic extract shows prominent antioxidant properties followed by the hydroalcoholic extract. From this study, it can be concluded that this species is effective in scavenging free radicals and may be a powerful antioxidant. The T. erecta leaf extract showed the existence of bioactive components which are known to exhibit medicinal activities. The findings of this study suggest that these plant leaves could be a potential source of natural antioxidants that could have great importance as therapeutic agents in preventing various diseases.