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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp4 (2026): National Symposium on Recent Advances in Life Sciences

Evaluation of antioxidant potential and quantification of caffeic acid in root bark of Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12885
Submitted
23 November 2025
Published
19-06-2026

Abstract

Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem.  an endangered species of the family Bignoniaceae is native to India, Pakistan and Oman. Traditionally, it is used in the treatment of leucorrhea, fever, cough, digestive disorders, skin infections, sexual disorders and pain. The plant is also known for its diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antiobesity and antimicrobial properties.  In the current study total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) along with antioxidant potential of methanolic extract of root bark of T. undulata was evaluated, an important metabolite, caffeic acid, was identified and quantified using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The extract exhibited comparatively higher TFC (3.20 mg QE g-1 dry weight of extract) as compared to TPC (2.02 mg GAE g-1 dry weight of extract). A significant antioxidant activity was also observed viz., 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (IC50 -151.53 µg mL-1), nitric oxide scavenging assay (IC50- 771.2 µg/mL), deoxyribose degradation assay (IC50- 120.1 µg mL-1) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (109.22µmol Fe2+ g-1dry weight of extract). The presence of caffeic acid was confirmed by HPTLC profiling, with linear regression R2 = 0.99848 and Rf = 0.62. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 41.92 and 75.79 ng mL-1, respectively, marking the first report of this compound in the root bark of T. undulata. These data highlight the importance of the tree as a medicinal and antioxidant agent, which makes it an important candidate to be further explored for its bioactive and therapeutic activities.

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