Background: Nardostachys jatamansi DC, a highly valued medicinal herb belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, is well known for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties. Rich in flavonoids, phenolic chemicals, and Sesquiterpenoid, its roots and rhizomes have long been employed in Unani and Ayurvedic systems to treat CNS problems and stress-related diseases. The thorough relationship between its phytochemical makeup and antioxidant action, particularly amongst extracts, is still poorly understood. In this study, petroleum ether and Hydroalcoholic extracts of N. jatamansi are examined for their extraction yield, phytochemical components, and antioxidant activity.
Methods: N. jatamansi roots and rhizomes were collected and authenticated from Uttarakhand. 70% ethanol and petroleum ether were used for Soxhlet extraction. The identification of important secondary metabolites was done using qualitative phytochemical screening. The DPPH radical scavenging assay, ferric thiocyanate assay, and reducing power assay were used to measure antioxidant activity. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to statistically examine relationships between antioxidant activity and phenolic/flavonoid content. ANOVA and Tukey's test were used to establish significance (p < 0.05), and the data were presented as mean ± SEM.
Results: The yield of the Hydroalcoholic extract was substantially larger (10.46%) than that of the petroleum ether extract (1.12%). The Hydroalcoholic extract was found to include flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, glycosides, and carbohydrates, according to phytochemical examination. With an IC₅₀ of 126.34 µg/ml for the Hydroalcoholic extract, the DPPH assay showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and a moderate correlation (R = 0.9988) with total phenolic content. The Hydroalcoholic extract's 46.46% reduction of lipid peroxidation was validated by the ferric thiocyanate assay, indicating a strong antioxidant activity. In comparison, the activity of petroleum ether extract was lower.
Conclusion: Nardostachys jatamansi exhibits encouraging antioxidant activity, particularly in Hydroalcoholic extracts that are high in flavonoid and phenolic components. These results lend scientific credence to its traditional medicinal uses and encourage its growth as a natural antioxidant source for illnesses linked to oxidative stress.
Keywords: Nardostachys jatamansi; Phytochemical screening; Antioxidant activity; DPPH assay; Ferric thiocyanate assay; Soxhlet extraction; Herbal medicine; Natural antioxidants; Phenolic content; Flavonoids.
How to cite this article: Pokhriyal AC, Juyal D, Mukhopadhyay S, Extraction, Phytochemical characterization and Assessment of antioxidant activity of Nardostachys jatamansi. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(2s): 510-518; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.510-518