Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential in Euryale ferox Salisb. and Eupatorium birmanicum DC. of Manipur, India

Introduction: Euryale ferox Salisb. popularly called “Foxnut” is a spiny aquatic plant locally named “Thangjing” in Manipur and is one of the most highly consumed aquatic crops while Eupatorium birmanicum DC. locally named “Langthrei” is an endemic ethnomedicinal plant found in Manipur, India. Methods: This study was carried out to examine the phytochemical content, evaluate the Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and the in vitro antioxidant potential (DPPH and ABTS assays) in the seeds, arils of E. ferox and leaves of E. birmanicum. Results: Phytochemicals such as phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids and steroids were detected from the plant samples studied. Among the samples, TPC was found in the range 21.95 ± 1.18 mgGAE/g ext to 119.80 ± 2.63 mgGAE/g ext while, TFC was recorded in the range 2.57 ± 0.07 mgQE/g ext to 7.27 ± 0.28 mgQE/g ext with the highest value of TPC and TFC in E. ferox seeds. In case of DPPH and ABTS assays, the recorded IC₅₀ value were attained in the range 16.99 ± 0.49 μg/mL to 335.90 ± 2.19 μg/mL and 70.69 ± 1.83 μg/mL to 576.26 ± 4.41 μg/mL respectively with the lowest IC₅₀ value recorded in E. ferox seeds. Conclusions: The results of our study revealed that seeds and arils of E. ferox as well as leaves of E. birmanicum contain a variety of phytochemicals and promising antioxidant activity which will contribute a scientific insight for exploration of their therapeutic potentials in the future.