Phytochemical Analysis, In–Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Proximate Analysis on Rhinacanthus Nasutus(L) Kurz Leaf

The present study provides an information on phytochemical, antioxidant and proximate analysis of different extracts of Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf. Different parts of R nasutus have been used in folk medicine for treating liver disorders, several skin diseases and other pharmacological effects. Different extracts of R.nasutus were prepared based on the polarity in solvents of hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water for phytochemical analysis from leaves of R.nasutus. The phytochemical analysis leaf extract has revealed the presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, polyphenols, steroids, saponins, alkaloids, carbohydrates, anthraquinones and least of tannins. These principles at concentration of 250μg of preparation showed potential antioxidant properties as tested by the methods of radical scavenging activity, and methanolic extract showed more of peroxy radical scavenging property at all concentrations compared to hexane and ethyl acetate extracts. The Dried leaf powder Proximate analysis has revealed the presence of 85% of dry matter, 13% of crude fiber, 11% of total ash, 1% of acid soluble ash and 4% crude protein. Hence the present exploration of phytochemical antioxidants and proximate studies of R.nasutus, will be useful in the synthesis and preparation of new drugs of pharmaceutical importance. Introduction The identification of plants is useful to human beings from natural strands commenced in prehistoric studies. Experiments and trails with the two main ways through which humans have learnt various uses of the plants (Haseena Bhanu et al., 2010 and Suman Bukke et al., 2011). In recent times, focus on plant research has increased all over the world and a large body of evidence has collected to show immense potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems. More than 13,000 plants have been studied during the last 5 year period (Dahanukar et al., 2000). Over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for health care. From plants the isolated and purified compounds in contrast, may lose their biological activity or fail to behave in the same way as in the complex matrix that the original item of food represents (Rao et al, 1998; Raveendra et al, 2008). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), more than 50,000 plant species are used in the traditional folk medicine throughout the world (Schippmann et al., 2002). The drugs are derived from the whole plant or from different parts like leaves, stem, bark, root, flower, tuber and seed etc. More than 30% of the entire plant species, at one time or other was used for medicinal purposes. It has been estimated that in developed countries such as United States, plant drugs constitute as much as 25% of the total drugs, while in fast developing country such as India, the contribution is as much as 80% (Joy et al., 2001). In 19th century, medicinal plants and herbs were the soul source of active principles capable of curing man’s aliments. Medicinal plants and herbs continue to be the source of proven medicaments and of new and revolutionary drugs (Chatterjee 2000). In early 20th century new trend has emerged, as several Botanists started surveying and identifying medicinal plants on the basis to use in tribal and rural areas. Thus, the economic importance of medicinal plants is much more to countries such as India than to rest of the world (Suman et al 2011) . The Rhinacanthus nasutus commonly known as “Rangchita and Nagamalli” belongs to family Acanthaceae. The genus Rhinacanthus comprises of about 25 species confined to the Old World tropics and subtropics it is placed in the Justiciinae subtype (Scotland and Vollesen, 2000). R nasutus is widely distributed in some parts of sub-continent, in the region of Southeast Asia and China (Farnsworth and Bunyapraphatsar 1992). The plant is a small slender shrub. The R nasutus is cultivated particularly as a medicinal plant has been used in treatments and preventions of diverse diseases as folklore medicines. Different parts of the plant has used in traditional medicine for the treatment in diseases such as eczema, pulmonary tuberculosis, herpes, hepatitis, diabetes, hypertension and several skin diseases (Siripong et al., 2006). The experimental evidences shows, that it has potential effects for treatment of cancer, liver disorders, skin diseases, peptic ulcers, helminthiasis, scurvy, inflammation and obesity (Suja et al., 2003). The leaves of this plant are also used in the preparation of shampoos. Rhinacanthine from roots induce apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cells and hepatocellular cancers (Wu et al.1998;Thirumurugan et al.,2000; Siripong et al., 2006 and 2009). Therefore considering the significant importance of R.nasutus in folk medicine experiments were conducted on analysis of plant products and their biological activity. Materials and Methods Collection of plants and preparation of extracts: The R.nasutus were identified and authenticated by plant Taxonomist, Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and voucher specimen no SVUBH/ 579. The fresh leaves of R nasutus were collected from Sesaschalam hills (Tirumala Hills and Tirupati) Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Fresh leaves of R.nasutus (L) were shade dried and milled to fine powder using a mechanical grinder. The powdered plant material was macerated with hexane, Ethyl acetate, methanol and water separately. The extract was then filtered with filter paper (Whatman No. 1) under reduced pressure using rota evaporator at 40°C. The concentrate was to obtain a dark molten mass then layered on aluminum foil and freeze dried for further use. Phytochemical screening Phytochemical examinations were carried out to detect the secondary metabolites (Alkaloids, saponins, carbohydrates, flavoinds, cardic glycosides etc.) in R.nasutus extracts by us-