Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical and invitro antioxidant activity of medicinal plant Pimenta dioica (l.) Merr. (Myrtaceae) from Attappadi, Palakkad district, Kerala

Abstract

An ethnobotanical study was undertaken to collect information about the use of medicinal plants in Attappadi hills, Palakkad district, Kerala during December 2012 to February 2013. A total of 51 species of ethanomedicinal plants belonging to 30 families were reported with the help of standardized questionnaires. This survey is mostly useful for rural area of local people. Total phenol and DPPH activity was carried out for Pimenta dioica. The aqueous stem extract of P.dioica showed higher total phenolic content and acetone extract exhibited the more free radical scavenging activity. These findings show that the plant provide substantial antioxidant activity.