Antioxidant and anthelmintic activity of brassica nigra

Aim: To determine phytochemical screening, total phenolic quantification, antioxidant and anthelmintic activity of hot water extract of Brassica nigra L.
Background: Kerala is endowed with abundant plants and these plants contain numerous photochemicals. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases world-wide and the corresponding rise in health care costs cause interest among researchers to find nontoxic compounds from plants used for culinary purposes.
Methodology: Preliminary phytochemical analysis and total phenol quantification of hot water extract of Brassica nigra was done by standard procedures. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity. Anthelmintic activity was checked against Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma.
Results: In the present study, hot water extract of Brassica nigra, consist of phytochemicals like carbohydrate, amino acid, protein, alkaloid, steroids, saponins, phenols and tannins. The extract also confirmed DPPH radical scavenging activity. In anthelmintic studies, Albendazole was used as standard drug. In 100 mg/ml of Brassica nigra hot water extract, earthworms get paralysed after 4 min and died after 7 min. The antioxidant and anthelmintic effect of Brassica nigra may be due to presence of secondary metabolite like alkaloids or tannins.
Conclusion: The result of the present study clearly pointed out that the hot water extract of Brassica nigra can produce antioxidant and anthelmintic activity. However, further investigation of Brassica nigra is necessary for assessing its potential in the treatment of various diseases.