Phytochemical and antioxidant studies on leaves of Costus malortieanus H. Wendl.

Abstract

Present study aim at the screening of an unexplored plant, Costus malortieanus H.wendl.belonging to family Costaceae, commonly called stepladder ginger, which is used traditionally as anti diabetic and anti inflammatory. Total alcoholic extract of the leaves were subjected to antioxidant screening by DPPH, Iron chelating and nitric oxide methods. Estimation of phenolics, flavanoids and carotenoids were also carried out. Petroleum ether fraction of the ethanolic extract was analysed by GC-MS studies. The promising results of the different assays showed that the extract is a good source of antioxidants. GC-MS studies revealed the presence of antioxidant and antiinflammatory components in the extract.