Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina , Momordica charantia var muricata and Luffa acutangula.^†

Abstract: Background- TC, LA, MCM, plants (Family: Cucurbitaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine and an important source of vegetables in the world. Objective- This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of the 95% ethanolic extract obtained from the TC, LA, MCM whole plants as well as to study the antioxidant activity by DPPH assay. Materials and Methods- Mechanically plant powdered extracted in the soxhlet apparatus & phytochemical screening, DPPH assay performed by following the standard protocols. Results- The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Phenols & Steroids in all TC, LA, MCM whole plants, Alkaloids in TC, MC, Saponins in MC, LA and Glycosides only in TC plant. The percentage of the inhibition and IC₅₀ were measured, results showed that the DPPH free radicals were scavenged by all extract in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion- These dietary cucurbits showed appreciable antioxidant activity and are good sources of natural antioxidants. Future pharmaceutical uses can be deducted from these findings.

Abbreviations: TC: Trichosanthes cucumerina, LA: Luffa acutangula, MCM: Momordica charantia- muricata DPPH: 2 , 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl