Pharmacognostical Characterization and Evaluation of Invitro Antioxidant activity of Daucus carota and Aloe barbadensis

Abstract

Aloe barbadensis, a perennial, drought-resistant plant, is known as the healing plant due to its wound and burn healing properties. It has been used in health, beauty, medicine, and skin care for centuries. The pharmacologically active ingredients in aloe are concentrated in inner parenchymatous tissue called aloe gel and outer pericyclic tubules called aloe sap or aloe juice. These bioactive compounds are effective in treating various conditions, including burns, allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, acid indigestion, ulcers, diabetes, skin diseases, dysentery, diarrhea, piles, and digestive system inflammatory conditions. Aloe vera is also used in cosmetic products to provide a healthy, supple skin look, reduce wrinkles, cure acne, rejuvenate, and give it a youthful glow. Daucus carota, also known as carrot, belongs to the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family and is classified into twelve subspecies. The plant is classified into two groups, eucarota and gummiferi, each classified into five more subspecies. The chemical composition of different subspecies reveals the abundance of terpenes, phenolics, and flavonoids. The wild carrot was traditionally used for medicinal purposes by ancient Greeks and Romans, with its antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and antifungal activities confirmed in-vitro and in-vivo over the past two decades. In present study, pharmacognostical examination is done prior to its preclinical activity in order to check for its purity and having a record of possible phytochemicals present in the plants which may be responsible for its pharmacological action. Recent research on MEAV and MEDC reveals its potent antioxidant capacity due to its high flavonoid content, which reduces damaging radicals. The presence of polyphenols in MEAV and MEDC results in reduced oxidative stress indicators and increased protective capacity of antioxidants. Both Daucus carota (carrot) and Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) demonstrate significant in vitro antioxidant activity, primarily due to the presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids, carotenoids, and polyphenols. Daucus carota exhibits strong scavenging of free radicals, while Aloe barbadensis shows potent DPPH scavenging and reducing power. Extraction methods and plant parts influence the concentration and activity of these antioxidants.