Evaluation of antioxidant activities and quantitative estimation of phytochemicals in Kandelia candel (L.) Druce

Kandelia candel, a mangrove belonging to the family Rhizophoraceae, the whole plant is reported to have anti-diabetic properties and was studied for the evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic study. Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and Total Alkaloid Content were quantitatively estimated by using standard protocols. The study evaluated the antioxidant activity of the extract and the method was employed for the evaluation of antioxidant activity are DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay and Phosphomolybdenum assay. Potent antioxidant activities were shown by the acetonitrile extract and water extract of leaf and stem in all the assays. Acetonitrile extract of bark showing highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 31.84 g/ml). Plant extract showing poor, reducing power. The better reduction of molybdenum was shown by acetonitrile extract of bark followed by leaf (617.33 ± 4.44).  Chloroform, acetonitrile and water extract of leaf and bark of Kandelia candel, were evaluated for antidiabetic activity by alpha-amylase inhibition assay, Water and acetonitrile extract show good inhibition. Highest TPC and TFC were obtained for the acetonitrile extract of bark (237.6 ± 1.06 and 1277.19 ± 3.41).  These findings show that the polyphenolic constituents in the extracts are responsible for free radical scavenging capacity. The results of this study indicate that this plant is medicinal with prominent antioxidant activities.