PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN-VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF ROOT EXTRACTS OF GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA L

     Obesity is an international health problem caused by various environmental and genetic factors. Herbal supplements have proved to be active against obesity. Glycyrrhiza glabra belongs to the family of Fabaceae. Glycyrrhiza glabra was used traditionally to treat various diseases. Hence the current study was planned to investigate the phytochemicals and antioxidants present in Glycyrrhiza glabra. Materials and Methods: The preliminary qualitative, quantitative phytochemicals and antioxidants were investigated from the root extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Results: The preliminary qualitative analysis of various extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra showed the presence of Phenols, Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins and Quinones. Quantitative analysis of Glycyrrhiza glabra showed elevated amounts of phenols, flavonoids and tannins in ethanolic extracts. The Aqueous, ethanol, hydro alcoholic extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra showed 211±2.64, 281.66±1.57, 263±14.2 mg of phenols, 152.66±3.05, 187.33±1.52, 183.33±3.05 mg of flavonoids, 21.33±0.57, 41±3.46, 34.3±1.15 mg of Tannins, 42.33±2.05, 63.33±1.52, 36.33±1.57 mg of terpenoids. The antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra were evaluated with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), Nitric Oxide radical (NO), Superoxide radical (SO), Hydrogen peroxide radical (H2O2), Hydroxyl radical (HO) Scavenging activity. The IC50 value of Glycyrrhiza glabra is 120 µg/ml for DPPH, 208 µg/ml for (NO), 196 µg/ml for (SO), 148 µg/ml for (H2O2), and 252 µg/ml for (OH). Invitro method suggests that Glycyrrhiza glabra is more powerful against nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals. Conclusion: This preliminary study shows that Glycyrrhiza glabra is a promising herb with many phytochemicals and antioxidants it can be further investigated for its antiobesity potential.Key words: Glycyrrhiza glabra L., phytochemicals, antioxidant and obesity.