In-Vitro Evaluation of Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Activities of Cascuta Reflexa

ABSTRACT

The anticholinesterase and antioxidant potential of methanol (ME), aqueous (AE), ethyl acetate (EA), and hexane (HE) fractions of whole plant of Cascuta reflexa was evaluated. The anticholinesterase activity was assessed by Ellman’s method, while the antioxidant activity was estimated by DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assays. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity studies were also performed. ME of the plant showed inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.024) that was comparable to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 0.02), while EA and AE fractions had the strongest antioxidant activity with lowest IC₅₀ of 0.00097 and 0.0021 mg mL⁻¹, respectively. In the reducing power assay, EA fraction of the plant had the highest reducing power with high flavonoid level. The hexane fraction of the plant showed the lowest antioxidant activity in both these assays and had the least flavonoid contents. The methanol extract (ME) was positive for the presence of tannins, saponins, phenols, and flavonoids and was safe up to 2000 mg kg⁻¹.

KEYWORDS:

• Anticholinesterase
• antioxidant potential
• Cascuta Reflexa Roxb
• phytochemical analysis
• acute toxicity studies