Determination of phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of different parts of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. from three different growth stages
2013
Fernando, I.D.N.S. | Abeysinghe, D.C. | Dharmadasa, R.M.
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. (Solanaceae) is a therapeutically important medicinal herb used in Ayurvedic and traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of an array of ailments. Diverse therapeutic properties reported from W. somnifera are mainly due to the high content of polyphenols and antioxidant activities present in different parts of the plant. Present study investigates the total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of different parts of three different growth stages of W. somnifera grown under three different spacing levels. The TAC and TPC were determined using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay and modified Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method respectively. Leaf extract exhibited significantly higher (p<0.05) TAC and TPC values for all three different growth stages. However, the highest TAC and TPC of leaf extract for all three spacing levels were observed just after flowering stage. The highest total phenolic content was exhibited in leaf extracts followed by flower, fruits, stem and roots respectively. With regard to the anti oxidant content, the highest amount was recorded from leaf followed by pods, flowers, stem and roots respectively. Presence of higher TPC and TAC just after flowering stage scientifically validates traditional claims of harvesting of W. somnifera after flowering stage. The higher content of TPC and TAC in leaf demonstrated the possibility of incorporation leaf for the development of newer, effective drugs instead of roots.
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