Evaluation of In vitro Antioxidant Potential of Aconitum napellus Linn. Root Extract

Objective: The primary focus of the research work is to explore the antioxidant potential of ethanolic root extract of Aconitum napellus Linn. (EEAN). Methods: Different methods like DPPH scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and nitric oxide scavenging activity was followed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant profile. HPTLC fingerprint investigation was executed for qualitative determination of a promising number of constituents from the ethanolic extract. OECD guideline 423 was followed for the determination of acute toxicity in Wistar rat. Results: The total yield was found 0.948% from the ethanolic root extract. The results revealed that the ethanolic root extract of Aconitum napellus Linn. possesses good antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner. According to DPPH radical scavenging assay, a concentration of 494.50 ± 2.62 µg/ml of antioxidant material essential to rummage 50% of free radical. The ethanolic extract holds an IC50 value of 579.57 ± 1.85µg and 469.56 ± 2.16 µg as determined by hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and nitric Oxide scavenging assay respectively. The plant extract possesses significant dose-dependent (0.284 ± 0.0018 at 125 µg/ml and 0.923 ± 0.0003 at 500 µg/ml) reducing capacity. HPTLC fingerprint information supports numerous fundamental pieces of evidence like isolation, purification, quality assessment and standardization. Aconitum napellus Linn. was found to be highly toxic at a dose of 2000 mg/Kg which was confirmed by the death of the rat. Therefore, the LD50 of this ethanolic root extract was estimated to be ≥2000 mg/kg. Conclusion: The Aconitum napellus ethanolic root extract in this study showed potential to be used as a natural antioxidant at a limited concentration. Root extracts from this plant might have potential applications in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical formulations in the future.