Abstract:
In this study, preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activity of crude methanolic extract
of whole plant of Malva parviflora were evaluated. Phytochemical screening was achieved using standard assay
methods and for antioxidant activity, three assays viz. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay,
phosphomolybdate assay (total antioxidant capacity, TAC) and ferric reducing power assay were used to screen
the extract at various concentrations. The extract demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics,
tannins and terpenoids. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity of methanolic M.
parviflora extract (MMP) were found to be in the range 41.88±1.69 to 95.44±2.91% and 52.45±1.45 to
89.65±2.84% respectively. MMP was found to be potent with IC50 values for DPPH and TAC being 91.61 and
29.15 µg/mL, respectively. MMP was found to be dose-dependent as its reducing power increased with extract
concentration. Generally, MMP exhibited promising phytochemical and antioxidative properties as a potential
source for novel drugs. As such, further studies are required on this plant in order to commercial new products
