Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant assays in Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel) seeds collected from Tarai region in the Uttarakhand

Abstract

Fennel is a culinary spice of Apiaceae family. The objective of present study to evaluate the antioxidant potential and phytochemical screening in terms of phenolic content, flavonoid content, orthodihydric phenolic content, proanthocyanidin, and total tannin content in hexane, chloroform, and methanol extract of Foeniculum vulgare seeds. Maximum DPPH scavenging activity exhibited in the hexane extract of FNL-PM (IC₅₀= 443.88±0.91 μg/mL). Maximum hydroxyl radical scavenging activity observed in methanol extract of FNL-117 (IC₅₀= 414.74±1.35 μg/mL). Higher superoxide radical scavenging activity exhibited in the hexane extract of FNL-126 (IC₅₀= 420.68±1.09 μg/mL) and nitric oxide radical scavenging in the hexane extract of FNL-117 (IC₅₀= 557.03±0.86 μg/mL). Strong metal chelation activity observed in hexane extract of FNL-118 (IC₅₀= 563.07±0.07 μg/mL). Higher phytochemicals are observed in methanol extract of FNL-120. The present study also revealed the similarities that exist between fennel seeds on the basis of antioxidant potency and phytochemicals through a statistical approach i.e., cluster analysis using dendrogram, regarding genetic makeup of fennel cultivars so that future research will be carried out to develop a new variety of fennel for further implementation in pharma industries.