Pharmacognosy and radical scavenging potential of different plant parts of Anastatica hierochuntica

The present study was accomplished to explore the proximate analysis and mineral composition in stem, seed and leaves of Anastatica hierochuntica while quantification of secondary metabolites and free radical scavenging were assayed on various extracts of the Anastatica hierochuntica plant material. Proximate analysis exposed the presence of high protein (14.95%) and fat (8.24%) content in seeds, whereas high ash (17.32%) and fibre (13.5%) content in Stems, while Leaves was reported with highest carbohydrate (42.68%) and moisture (14.87%) contents. Results of elemental analysis by ICP shows that leaf has documented to be the highest source of Na(198 ppm), K(395ppm), Ca(346 ppm), Fe(8 ppm), Ba(1069 ppb), Co(25.11 ppb) and Mn(917.43 ppb)while seed for Mg(25 ppm), Ni (66.3 ppb)and Zn(602.2 ppb) whereas Cu(286.2 ppb) was recorded highest in stem. Gallic acid (GA) was taken as standard for phenol, tannin, non-tannins and Quercetin (Q) for flavonoid content. The total phenol was higher in aqueous extracts of leaf (32.25 GAE/g), while non-tannins in aqueous extract of seed (19.84 GAE/g) whereas tannins in aqueous extract of stem (17.36 GAE/g) and flavonoid in methanol extract of leaf (1108.552 QE/g). Trolox and Ascorbic Acid were used as standards for DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays, IC50 value of DPPH assay for seeds methanolic extract was 293 µg/ml which was comparatively lower than trolox (362µg/ml) but Ascorbic acid IC50 value(205 µg/ml) for ABTS assay was lower compared to methanolic extract of seeds(380 µg/ml). These outcomes legitimizes its application in folkloric medicine and scientifically recommends the beneficial use of the plant in the treatment/management of human ailments.