Evaluation of phytochemical, antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of Sesbania grandiflora Linn.

Sesbania grandiflora Linn. is perennial branching, small erect quick-growing short-lived soft-wooded tree, mostly cultivated in southeast Asian countries including India and grows primarily in hot, humid environments. This study investigated on phytochemical values- total phenolic flavonoid, tannins and saponin contents for Sesbania grandiflora leaf extracts. The total antioxidant capacity, DPPH, reducing power, superoxide scavenging and Iron chelating effects were examined by established methods. In-vitro cytotoxicity by brine shrimp bioassay. Both the extracts of Sesbania grandiflora were found to possess moderate to high amounts of phytochemical contents. The total phenolic, flavonoid and saponin contents were found significantly higher in EQSG whereas tannins were more in AQSG. The EQSG and AQSG possessed low IC50 for H2O2 Scavenging (32.9, 27.3µg/ml), TAC (35.6, 41.8µg/ml) and moderate for DPPH (114.9, 113µg/ml) and reducing power (176.3, 181.6µg/ml) respectively. The Brine shrimp lethality bioassay showed a significantly high LC50 value with EQSG (10313µg/ml) and AQSG (12773µg/ml) compared to cyclophosphamide (110µg/ml) in cytotoxic assay. The results evidenced the potential of Sesbania grandiflora Linn. as potent drug with antioxidant and cytotoxic activity and could be useful for preparation of nutraceuticals for pharmaceutical use in the treatment of various human diseases and its complications