The aim of the present work was to investigate the antioxidant
potential of different extracts of Barleria prionitis leaf and stem. The
successive extraction of individual plant part was carried out using
solvents of different polarity viz. n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol
and water. The preliminary Phytochemical screening of all the
extracts was done. The present total phenolic contents were estimated
by Folin- Ciocalteu reagent method and expressed as µg/mg of gallic
acid equivalent. The antioxidant potential and reducing power of all
the prepared extracts were measured against DPPH as compared to
standard ascorbic acid, and BHA respectively. The result data
indicated that the phenolic contents were higher in methanolic
extracts of leaf (103.51±0.38 mg/g) followed by ethyl acetate
(52.91±0.28 mg/g), aqueous extract (42.02±0.36 mg/g) and n-Hexane
(12.48±0.27 mg/g). The similar pattern in stem part was also
observed, i.e. methanolic extracts (94.37±0.18 mg/g), ethyl acetate
(44.31±0.45 mg/g), water (32.82±0.31 mg/g) and n-Hexane
(8.33±0.21 mg/g). The antioxidant capacity of methanolic extract of
both the part, i.e. leaf and stem were founded highest as IC50 values
were 63.41±0.32, 81.69±0.40 respectively. The reducing power was
also highest in the methanol extract of both parts. The result data
conclude that the higher antioxidant as well as reducing power may
be due to present phenolic contents.