Phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of Desmodium gangeticum (Linn.) DC.

Chemical examination of Desmodium gangeticum (Linn.) DC. root and aerial parts has resulted into lupeol, lauric acid and mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The total phenolic contents (TPC) were 14.4, 13.8 mg/g GAE; antioxidant activity (AOA) 58.9, 54.8% and reducing power (RP) in terms of ascorbic acid equivalent (ASE/ml) 2.7 and 2.9 in roots and aerial parts of the plant, respectively. Free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) measured by α, α-diphenylβ-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) showed IC 50 (Inhibitory Concenteation) 0.31, 0.35 mg/ml; EC 50 (Efficient Concentration) 13.48, 15.22mg/mg DPPH and ARP (Antiradical Power) 7.42, 6.57 in roots and aerial parts, respectively. AOA in different assays expressed as IC 50 in aforesaid plant parts ranged from 0.27-0.83 mg/ml and 0.41-1.11 mg/ml, respectively. The extract of both parts showed significant protective effect against Fenton's reaction on supercoiled pUC 18 DNA assayed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The specific phenolic composition assayed through HPLC and MS/MS showed the presence of gallic, protocatechuic, salicylic, chlorogenic, caffeic acids, rutin, quercetin and kaempferol in both parts of plant.