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Background: Free radicals initiate the oxidative stress and damage the healthy cells. These damages contribute ageing, cancer, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins are directly contributed to antioxidant activity. Objective: The present study was attempted to evaluate the phytochemicals present in various solvent extracts obtained from Leucas aspera (Willd) Link leaves (L. aspera) and its antioxidant activity using different in-vitro models. Materials and Methods: The free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of petroleum ether, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of L. aspera leaves were assessed by different in-vitro models include DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity, total antioxidant activity, ABTS (2,2,-azinobis (3-ethylbenzoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity and nitric oxide radical inhibition assay, in order to ensure the pharmacological effects of the plant. Results: Petroleum ether extract (non-polar solvent) showed better antioxidant activity among the solvents with IC50 values 18.96 μg/mL (DPPH assay), 17.22 μg/mL (total antioxidant assay), 16.00 μg/mL (ABTS assay) and 11.87 μg/mL (nitric oxide scavenging). Whereas, ethanol extract (polar solvent) exhibited better DPPH scavenging, ABTS assay and nitric oxide scavenging activity (IC50=19.90, 11.60 and 13.47 μg/mL respectively) compared to chloroform, ethyl-acetate and isopropyl alcohol extracts. Conclusion: The results of our current study showed, L. aspera leaf is a significant source of phytochemicals that possess antioxidant and scavenging properties. Our study findings warrants for various pharmacological activities and further research on isolation and characterization of active principle responsible for the pharmacological activity.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness, and the management of diabetes is a global problem. Successful treatment is required to prevent complications and organ damages. Herbal medicines are having minimal adverse effects when compared to the available synthetic drugs to treat such chronic diseases and disorders. Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of polar and nonpolar solvent extracts of Leucas aspera (Willd.) link leaves under in vitro models. Materials and Methods: The in vitro antidiabetic activity of petroleum ether (nonpolar) and ethanol (polar) extracts were evaluated in C2C12 cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (cell viability method) and glucose uptake assay. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method used for the evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity. Results: Both the polar and nonpolar solvent extracts of L. aspera had shown better antioxidant activity compared to standard (IC50 = 18.96 and 19.90 μg/mL, respectively). Petroleum ether extract exhibited better cytotoxic activity in C2C12 cell line compared to ethanol extract (concentration of test drug needed to inhibit cell growth by 50% 110.75 ± 5.5 vs. 415.25 ± 8.0 μg/mL) whereas ethanol extract showed enhanced glucose uptake activity than petroleum ether extract in C2C12 cell line at same concentrations. Conclusion: From our study results, we concluded that L. aspera (Willd.) link leaves had shown better antidiabetic activity and antioxidant activity under in vitro models. Nonpolar solvent extract produced slightly better activity than polar solvent extract. This study warrants further research and experiments on animal models. SUMMARY Petroleum ether extract of Leucas aspera (PELA) exhibited slightly higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity compared to ethanol extract of L. aspera (EELA)PELA exhibited better cytotoxic activity in C2C12 cell line compared to EELAEELA had shown enhanced glucose uptake activity than PELA in C2C12 cell line at same concentrationsL. aspera leaf extracts have potential scavenging of DPPH radicals similar to that of ascorbic acidOverall, PELA (nonpolar) produced slightly better antidiabetic activity and antioxidant activity than EELA (polar). Abbreviations Used: DM: Diabetes mellitus, EELA: Ethanol extract of Leucas aspera, L. aspera: Leucas aspera, PELA: Petroleum ether extract of Leucas aspera.