Investigation of in-vitro antioxidant potential of methanolic extract of Marsilea minuta

Abstract

The present study focuses on the in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant potential of Marsilea minuta, a widely distributed aquatic fern known for its traditional medicinal applications. This study focuses on DPPH free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content (TPC). Oxidative stress, resulting from the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a major contributor to various degenerative diseases. Natural antioxidants, particularly phenolic compounds, play a crucial role in mitigating oxidative damage. In this work, different extracts of Marsilea minuta were prepared, and their antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH (2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. The total phenolic content was quantified using the Folin– Ciocalteu method. Among the tested extracts, the methanolic extract exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and the greatest TPC, indicating a strong correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that M. minuta contains significant levels of phenolic compounds contributing to its antioxidant activity, highlighting its potential as a natural source of antioxidants for therapeutic and functional food applications. Further studies are warranted to isolate active compounds and evaluate their in vivo efficacy.