PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF PAAVU DECOCTION OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, INDIA

R. Mary Suja* and B. Christudhas Williams

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of Siddha Cancer medicine prescribed by the Traditional Siddha Practitioner of Kanyakumari District, India. Paavu Decoction is an internal form of Breast Cancer medicine prescribed above 18 years was prepared with 21 different plant ingredients. Phytochemical analysis of the Paavu Decoction, aqueous, silver nitrate and ethanol extract revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavanoid, phenol, terpenoid, reducing sugar, tannin, steroid and glycosides except saponin constituents. The unexplored area of hydroxyl radical assay of Paavu Decoction and extracts varied from the minimum scavenging 47.59 ± 0.020 % (25μl) of ethanol extract to the maximum scavenging 81.21 ± 0.025 % (100μl) of L-ascorbic acid, DPPH radical assay varied from the minimum scavenging 44.31 ± 0.025% (25μl) of aqueous extract to the maximum scavenging 83.21 ± 0.011 % (100μl) of Paavu Decoction, nitric oxide radical scavenging varied from the minimum scavenging 37.32 ± 0.030 % (25μl) of aqueous extract to the maximum scavenging 75.26 ± 0.012 % (100μl) of Paavu Decoction, hydrogen per oxide assay varied from the minimum scavenging 42.61 ± 0.010 % (25μl) of aqueous extract to the maximum scavenging 86.31 ± 0.015 % (100μl) of Paavu Decoction and reducing power varied from the minimum scavenging 36.20 ± 0.011 % (25μl) of silver nitrate extract to the maximum scavenging 79.12 ± 0.010 % (100μl) of Paavu Decoction. The antioxidant assay of the Paavu Decoction and extracts indicated promising antioxidant activities in concentration dependent manner. Siddha Cancer drugs highlight the effect of Paavu Decoction as a great potential source to rid Breast Cancer.

Keywords: Paavu Decoction, phytochemical, antioxidant, Kalanchi, Cancer.