PHYTOCHEMICALS AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF HALOPHILA BECCARII

Free radicals induce numerous diseases by lipid peroxidation, oxidation of monosaccharides and DNA damage. In the present study, the marine plant seagrass Halophila beccarii was exploited to detect the phytochemical constituents and its antioxidant potential. The aqueous and organic extracts of Halophila beccarii portrayed the presence of various metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The antioxidant properties of extracts of Halophila beccarii (Hydrocharitaceae) were studied in four in-vitro models viz. Total antioxidant activity, radical scavenging activity by DPPH reduction Assay, Scavenging of H2O2 and reducing power. The extract was found to contain large amounts of secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Among all the extracts the methanolic extract showed significant antioxidant activity compared with standards. The experimental data provide ample evidence to utilize Halophila beccarii as a novel dietary agent for treating chronic metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia and could be used as a potential source for natural health products.