EXTRACTION, PHTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS

Human   beings   rely   heavily   on   medicinal   plants   to maintain their  health.  The  pharmacological  assessment of   numerous   plants   utilized   in   Indian traditional medicine    is    becoming    increasingly    popular. The plant Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as West Indian lemon grass or simply lemon grass,is a tropical plant native to Maritime Southeast Asia and introduced to many tropical regions Cymbopogon citratus is part of the grass family, Poaceae. In folk medicine, it has been used as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, antiseptic and antinociceptive and antioxidant agents Due  to  its  capacity  to  function  as  an antibiotic and antiseptic, it can be used to treat ringworm and athlete's foot disease. Lemongrass  has  a  strong  antimicrobial  effect against     methicillin-resistant     Staphylococcus aureus   (MRSA).   It    can   help   with   colitis, indigestion,  and  gastro-enteritis.  It  aids  in  the relief  of  headache,  bodily  discomfort,  nervous weariness,  and  other  stress-related  symptoms It   has   been   used   to   treat   gastrointestinal disorders. In  cases  of  fever,  a  decoction  of  lemongrass leaves is used as a diaphoretic lemongrass revitalizes the body and improves overall wellness. This study deals with Extraction, Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activity of Cymbopogon citratus. The leaves plant was collected and subjected to extraction in hydroalcoholic solvent. The phytochemical screening & antioxidant activity was also assessed. The results showed that the percentage yields were found to be (7.21% w/w of crude drug) of Hydroalcoholic extract Cymbopogon citratus leaves. Results of Phytochemical test showed the presence of Carbohydrates, Flavonoids, Proteins & Amino acids, Diterpenes and Saponins. Phenols and Alkaloid were found to absent in extract Cymbopogon citratus. The results of phytochemical revels that the all polar and Methanolic and aqueous soluble compound was found to be present in Cymbopogon citratus extract. Antioxidant activity of the samples was calculated through DPPH assay. % inhibition was calculated as an indicative of antioxidant potency. The percentage inhibition for ascorbic acid was found to be 14.23% while for Hydroalcoholic extract Cymbopogon citratus leaves the IC50 value was found to be 88.72%. Results point towards fact that Cymbopogon citratus exhibit potent antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Cymbopogon citratus, Antioxidant activity, Herbal medicines, IC50