DPPH Radical Scavenging of Crude Extracts and Their Polar and Non-Polar Fractions of Berberis Vulgaris L

Abstract

The present study the antioxidant potential of crude methanolic extract and solvent-partitioned fractions of Berberis vulgaris L. using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay was assessed. The plant material was extracted with methanol followed by fractionation into n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and remaining methanol fractions to determine how polarity influences antioxidant capacity. Results showed that a clear concentration-dependent response across all fractions. The butanol fraction showed the strongest antioxidant activity (88.15±1.87% at 100 µg/mL), followed by the methanol fraction (83.00±1.33%) and ethyl acetate fraction (67.00±1.55%). The non-polar n-hexane fraction showed the lowest activity (39.45±1.09%). The standard drug showed consistently higher radical inhibition across all concentrations, validating the assay. This study indicates that B. vulgaris contains potent antioxidant constituents predominantly present in its polar fractions. These findings support the traditional medicinal applications of the plant and highlight its potential value for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.