Antioxidant Potential and Phenol Profile of Bael Leaf (Aegle marmelos)

The methanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Aegle marmelos leaves were investigated for antioxidant potential and phenolic content. The highest free radical scavenging activity was observed in leaf ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 value: 191.4±1.5 μg/mL) followed by leaf methanol extract IC50 value: 249.3±9.4 μg/mL). The results of present study revealed metal ion chelating activity of leaf methanolic extract (IC50value: 165.7±2.3 μg/mL) and of leaf ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 value: 410±13.9μg/mL). The amount of total phenolics ranged from 16.5±0.3 to 23.2 mg GAE/g dw. However, highest phenolic content was observed in leaf ethyl acetate fraction (23.2±0.2 mg GAEs/g dry wt.) followed by leaf methanolic extract (16.5±0.3 mg GAEs/g dry wt.). RP-HPLC analysis of the leaf methanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Aegle marmelos revealed the presence of different phenolic acids viz. gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid. The percent area of gallic acid (GA) was found higher in leaf ethyl acetate fraction (22.93%) and lowest in leaf methanolic extract (6.79%).