Evaluation of antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, total flavonoids, and LC-MS characterization of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De.Wilde

Antioxidant potential, total phenolic and total flavonoid content of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De.Wilde leaf and bark was determined. Phenolic characterization of the extracts was carried out by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). Bark and leaves were suspended in four different solvent systems viz: methanol, ethanol, distilled water and ethyl acetate. The LC-MS characterization detected the presence of gallic acid, catechin and quercetin in considerable amounts, while other compounds like tannic acid, vanillin, catechol, p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid were present in traces. 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2?azinobis? (3?ethylbenzthiazoline?6?sulfonic acid) (ABTS), Superoxide radical scavenging activity (SO) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was used to determine the antioxidant activity. Distilled water leaves and methanol bark showed highest phenolic content, whereas ethanol leaves and methanol bark showed maximum flavonoid content. Methanol leaves and bark showed maximum DPPH and SO radical scavenging activity, ethanol leaves and distilled water bark exhibited highest ABTS activity and ethanol leaves and bark showed maximum FRAP reducing assay activity. The present study is the first comparative analysis between the leaf and bark of the different solvent system in Saraca asoca.