Correlation study among the extraction techniques, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity of Nepeta spicata aerial part

In present study, two extraction methodologies (soxhlet and ultrasonication) were employed where four solvents (methanol, acetone, chloroform, and hexane) were used to check the correlation among the extraction techniques, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity of Nepeta spicata aerial part. The antioxidant potential was assesed by using DPPH free radical scavenging assay, Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The FTIR and GC-MS techniques were employed for the quantitative analysis of crude extracts four solvents obtained by using two extraction methodologies (soxhlet and ultrasonication). The percentage yield obtained by the soxhlet was better than the ultrasonication. Further, the results showed that the extracts obtained by polar solvents (methanol >= acetone >> chloroform > hexane) possessed a higher content of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activities. Overall, soxhlet extraction technique was effective and methanol have shown significant extraction. The GC-MS data of crude extracts of plant material showed the occurrence of fatty acids, steroids, long chain hydrocarbons including hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, stigmast-5-en 3-ol and stigmast-4-en-3-one. Overall, based on GC-MS study, aerial part of the Nepeta spicata exhibited significant among of antioxidants in polar solvents.