Evaluation of Phyto Chemical Biochemical and In Vitro Antioxidant Potential of Angelica Glauca Grown at High Altitude Areas of Western Himalayas

Angelica glauca Edgew is an important medicinal and aromatic herb (family Apiaceae). The roots of A. glauca commonly used as spices by local peoples. In the present study, the phytochemical constituents, biochemical parameters and, in-vitro antioxidant activity of A. glauca roots collected from the Himalayan region have been studied. For preliminary phytochemical analysis, the hydroalcoholic and aqueous root extract of Angelica glauca were screened for the presence of carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and coumarin. The biochemical parameter and in-vitro antioxidant potential of Angelica glauca were analysed by using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis of extract showed major classes of phytochemicals constituents such as carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and coumarin. The results from the current study demonstrated that A.glauca roots contained carbohydrate (21±0.72 %), crude protein (12.7±0.31 %), total ash (3.86±0.034 %), dietary fiber (18.9±0.14 %), total fat (4.5±0.38 %) and ascorbic acid (68.5±0.19mg/100g). The hydroalcoholic extract showed the highest quantity of total phenol, total flavonoids, and total tannin content compared to aqueous extract. The hydroalcoholic extract exhibited high DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50=68.1±0.34 µg/ml). The result showed that A.glauca roots have high nutritional and antioxidant potential. Hence the plant can be used as a nutraceutical and natural antioxidant.

Fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity of Angelica glauca and Chenopodium album seed extracts from Kashmir

Angelica glauca Edgew. and Chenopodium album Linn. are medicinally important plants with aromatic, nutritious and flavor-enhancing properties. In this study the fatty acid composition of petroleum ether seed extracts (PE) of processed plants were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The PE consisted mainly of unsaturated fatty acids, such as petroselinic acid 74.26% and oleic acid 7.37% for A. glauca and linoleic acid 53.05% and oleic acid 20.74% for C. album. The de-fatted seed extracts were screened for their antioxidant activities using 2,2-di-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. Almost all the assays resulted in defatted seed extracts showing powerful radical scavenging activity. These findings suggest that the processed plants could be used as ingredients (as a source of natural antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids) for the formulation of functional foods.

A REVIEW ON AN ENDANGERED HIMALAYAN MEDICINAL AROMATIC PLANT - CHORAKA (ANGELICA GLAUCA EDGEW)

Choraka is a highly valued aromatic plant endemic to the Himalayan region. Angelica glauca is a perennial herb of Umbelliferae family. It is very commonly used as a spice and for treating stomach ailments. Its es-sential oil is highly valued and has broncho-relaxant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anxiolytic and antioxidant activity. Its chemical constituents are mainly (Z)-ligustilide, (Z)-butylidenephthalide, and (E)-butyl ideneph-thalide. It has been in use since the period of Arthashastra and references can also be seen in Brihatrayi and various Nighantus for Mukha and Nasa roga chikitsa. Ruthless uprooting of the plant from its natural habitat for its sale in the market has led to a considerable decline in its availability. This article deals with its distribution, its uses in Ayurveda with classical references, researches on its extracts, controversies and the threats faced by the plant.