Pharmacognostic standardization, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the seeds of Triticum aestivum L – A dietary staple

Aims: To establish the Quality standards of Triticum aestivum L, seeds as per WHO guidelines. To study the antioxidant and hepatoprotective profile of T. aestivum L. seeds. Methods: Pharmacognostic studies like morphological, microscopical, physico-chemical, phytochemical evaluation, fluorescence analysis, TLC, HPTLC, phytochemical analysis etc. of various extracts of the seeds of T. aestivum were carried out as per established methods. The ethanolic extract was evaluated for antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity using rat model. Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis mainly revealed the presence of carbohydrates, phenolics, proteins, resins, lipids and flavonoids. T. aestivum at different doses, i.e. 5-45 mg/ml showed free radical scavenging activity in dose dependent manner. The amount of phenolic components was found to be 313.5 mg/mg indicating considerable antioxidant activity. The ethanolic extract of T. aestivum was administered at dose level of 100 mg/kg/day, every day for 21 days along with CCl4. Biochemical and histopathological results conclude that the seeds have hepatoprotective activity.

Key words: Wheat, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Triticum aestivum.