Antioxidant and Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Achyranthes Aspera: Therapeutic Potential and Analytical Validation of Secondary Metabolites
Muhammad Rashad1,*, Muhammad Athar Adil2, Muhammad Bilal Siddique3, Sohaib Peerzadah2, Malik Saadullah1
Australian Herbal Insight 7(1) 1-14 https://doi.org/10.25163/ahi.719692
Submitted: 18 January 2024 Revised: 13 March 2024 Published: 15 March 2024
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of plants in human health has been recognized since ancient times, with Achyranthes aspera (A. aspera) being historically used to treat various ailments. This study aimed to standardize A. aspera by evaluating multiple pharmacognostic parameters, including microscopic analysis, organoleptic assessment, and forthcoming analytical techniques. Dry powdered plant material was extracted using methanol, followed by liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane. The extracts were screened for different phytoconstituents, and their total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed using gallic acid and quercetin standards, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic and dichloromethane extracts was tested in vitro against the free radical DPPH. The methanolic extract exhibited maximum antioxidant efficacy, with an IC50 value of 7.61 μg/ml, while the dichloromethane extract showed an IC50 of 14.25 μg/ml, compared to standard ascorbic acid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyzed the surface morphology of the dried powder, and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) confirmed the absence of toxic metals in both extracts. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed 55.965% quercetin content, indicating a high concentration of flavonoids. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified functional groups like ethyl amines, alkenes, alkanes, primary nitro groups, and esters, contributing to the plant's enhanced stability. These findings highlight A. aspera's potential as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, confirming its historical use and paving the way for future pharmacological applications.
Keywords: Achyranthes aspera, Pharmacognostic evaluation, Secondary metabolites, Analytical techniques, Herbal medicine
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