Phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and in vitro antioxidant activity of pollen of Centella asiatica (Linn) urban a traditional medicinal plant.

In the present study the crude extracts of pollen of Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban were explored for their antioxidant potential using Ferric Reducing Power, Metal Chelating Activity and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity assays. In crude extracts of pollen antioxidant components were initially extracted in methanol and further fractionated in solvents of different polarity, such as n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate and Water exhibited reasonable antioxidant activity. The extract was found to contain large amounts of phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 143-1155 mg/l of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 911-2488 mg/l of quercetin (QE) respectively. Moreover, Super oxide Anion Radical Scavenging Activity and GS-MS analysis were also carried out.