Activity Guided Isolation of Phytoconstituents of Moringa oleifera. Lam Leaves to Study their In-vitro Free Radical Scavenging Activity

im: To isolate the antioxidative components of Moringa oleifera. L leaves by screening their free radical scavenging potential.

Methodology: The leaves of Moringa oleifera. L were dried in the shade, followed by grinding and cold macerating with 95% alcohol. The crude alcoholic extract was then fractionated with organic solvents like ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. The in-vitro free radical scavenging potential was assessed by α the α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and Nitric oxide scavenging methods.

Results: Among the different leaf fractions of Moringa oleifera assessed, the ethylacetate fraction exhibited potential free radical scavenging potentiality, hence these fractions were further progressed for fractionation and refining using advanced chromatographic techniques. The sequential fractionation and purification resulted in the isolation of three components which were structurally characterized and identified employing advanced analytical techniques like UV, IR, Mass spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopic methods. In comparison with the available literature data, the isolated compounds were named quercetin (1), kaempferol (2), and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (3). The compounds isolated from the leaves of Moringa oleifera exhibited potential free radical scavenging activity on testing for their antioxidant property.

Conclusion: The compounds isolated from the Moringa oleifera leaves exhibited a strong free radical scavenging potential proving the antioxidant property of the plant.