Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Evaluation of a Crude Leaves Extract of Nerium Indicum (Mill)

Abstract

Nerium indicum (Mill) is a well-known medicinal plant with a rich history of use in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine for treating various ailments. This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of Nerium indicum leaf extracts using methanol and water as solvents. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, and tannins, with methanol extracts showing a more substantial presence of bioactive compounds than water extracts. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, where the methanol extract exhibited superior activity (96.179 ± 3.228% inhibition at 400 µg/mL) compared to the water extract (81.097 ± 0.234%). The IC50 value of the methanol extract (30.218 ± 2.957 µg/mL) was lower than that of the water extract (33.209 ± 0.487 µg/mL), indicating higher antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that Nerium indicum is a potent source of natural antioxidants, which could be beneficial in managing oxidative stress-related diseases. The plant's phytochemical profile and radical solid scavenging activity support its traditional use and highlight its potential for pharmaceutical applications.