ESTIMATION OF TOTAL FLAVONOIDS CONTENT (TFC) AND ANTI OXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC WHOLE PLANT EXTRACT OF BIOPHYTUM SENSITIVUM LINN

Biophytum sensitivum linn. (Oxalidaceae), is an important and widely used medicinal plant. Biophytum sensitivum linn. is used as a traditional folk medicine in ailments such as inflammation, arthritis, wounds, tumors and burns, gonorrhea, stomach ache, asthma, cough, degenerative joint disease, urinary calculi, diabetes, snake bite, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.. The total flavonoid content of methanolic whole plant extract of B. sensitivum (MEBS) was determined by using aluminium chloride colorimetric method. Flavonoid compounds were found to be 9.49 µg of quercetin equivalent [QE] per mg of methanolic whole plant extract of Biophytum sensitivum. In this study phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of B. sensitivum L. has indicated the presence of flavonoid . Since these compounds are of pharmacological interest, coupled with the use of this plant in traditional medicine, it prompted us to check B.sensitivum  L. for possible antioxidant activity by DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power ability. The maximum percentage inhibition by DPPH method was found about 43.96 at concentration of 110.46µg/ml, when compared with Quercetin. The reducing capabilities were found to be in dose dependent manner. Key words: Biophytum sensitivum, aluminium chloride, quercetin, DPPH.