ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PISTACIA KHINJUK SUPPORTED BY PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Pistacia khinjuk belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, with limited existing research on its therapeutic potential.
• The genus Pistacia is known for its diverse medicinal properties, warranting further investigation into its species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a phytochemical investigation of Pistacia khinjuk.
• To evaluate the antioxidant activity of its crude methanolic extract and various fractions.

Main Methods:

• Phytochemical analysis of crude methanolic extract and fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol, ethyl acetate, aqueous).
• Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content using phosphomolybdenum and ferric thiocyanate methods.
• Assessment of antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions.

Main Results:

• The crude extract contained alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoids, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, and sterols.
• Both crude extract and fractions displayed significant antioxidant activity.
• The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (1.109 ± 0.029).

Conclusions:

• Pistacia khinjuk possesses a rich phytochemical profile.
• The phenolic and flavonoid compounds in Pistacia khinjuk contribute to its potent antioxidant properties.
• The study supports the therapeutic utility of Pistacia khinjuk as a source of natural antioxidants.