PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF CAROM (TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI L.), A TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63735/baqa.v26i2.11-27Keywords:
Trachyspermum ammi, Phenolic Content, Flavonoid Content, Anti-Oxidant PotentialAbstract
Background
Trachyspermum ammi L., commonly known as ajwain or carom, is an important medicinal herb in the Apiaceae family, traditionally employed as a stimulant, carminative, and treatment for ailments ranging from asthma and bronchitis to diarrhea and abdominal pain. This study sought to evaluate the diversity of key health-promoting compounds across seventeen different accessions of this plant, moving beyond agronomic traits to a biochemical focus.
Methods
After cultivation, methanolic extracts were prepared from the fresh leaves of each accession to analyze their phytochemical profiles. The research specifically quantified the total phenolic and flavonoid content, two major classes of bioactive compounds renowned for their health benefits and evaluated the corresponding in vitro antioxidant potential using a DPPH free radical scavenging assay.
Results
The results demonstrated significant variation in the levels of these phytochemicals among the different accessions, with many exhibiting substantial concentrations that correlated strongly with potent, dose-dependent antioxidant activity. These findings are crucial as they provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of ajwain, directly linking its therapeutic effects to its high antioxidant content.
Conclusion
The observed biochemical diversity underscores the plant's potential as a rich source of natural antioxidants for nutraceutical or functional food applications. Ultimately, this research highlights the importance of selective cultivation to optimise the medicinal quality of ajwain and deserves further investigation into the specific active constituents responsible for its efficacy.
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