Abstract

DETERMINATION OF TOTAL FLAVONOID CONTENT IN ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF Moringa Oleifera

Shanmugapriya S.*, Muthusamy P. and Radha Ramalingam

ABSTRACT

Moringa oleifera, a small genus of quick-growing trees distributed in India, Arabia, Asia Minor, Africa. It belongs to the family Moringaceae. Two species are recorded from India, of which one, M.oleifera, is widely cultivated in the tropics for its edible fruits. With a synonym: Moringa pterygosperma, it is very popular in the Southern kitchen. Commonly, it is called the Drumstick tree or the radish tree. Ethno-medicinal use of the various plant parts are as follows: ROOTRheumatism, asthma, liver complaint, Paralysis, epilepsies, scorpion bite, snlae bite, tooth ache, astringent. GUM- Ear complaint. BARKStomach trouble, fever, eczema, typhoid, boils, toothache, poisonous bites, rheumatism. LEAF-Scurvy, wound, night blindness, diarrhea, dysentery, cough, cold, diseases of liver, spleen. FLOWERS- Eye ailments. PODS-Eye ailments, diseases of Liver, spleen. SEED-Indigestion, Seed oil in Gout, Rheumatism. The total flavonoid content is usually determined spectrophotometrically using Ultra-violet spectroscopy. The collected plant was subjected to soxhlet extraction and the collected extract was dried by vacuum evaporator. The dried leaf extract was taken for determination of total flavonoid content. Dimethylsulfoxide was used as the solvent. The absorbance was measured at 435nm.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Moringaceae, Ethnomedicinal use, Total Flavonoid Content, 435 nm.