Caralluma umbellata Haw. (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal succulent plant extensively utilized in traditional Indian medicine for the management of various ailments. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and in-vitro antioxidant potential of different solvent extracts of the whole plant. The authenticated plant material was shade-dried, powdered and extracted with ethanol, followed by solvent fractionation into petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using standard analytical procedures to identify major classes of secondary metabolites. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, proteins, amino acids and resins, with the ethanolic extract exhibiting the richest phytochemical profile. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay at concentrations ranging from 20–100 µg/mL, employing ascorbic acid as the reference standard. All extracts demonstrated concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity. Among the tested extracts, the ethanolic fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant potential, showing 92.18 ± 0.28% inhibition at 100 µg/mL with an IC₅₀ value of 24.18 µg/mL, followed by the ethyl acetate extract (IC₅₀ = 48.26 µg/mL). The observed antioxidant activity was comparable to that of ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 12.46 µg/mL). The findings suggest that C. umbellata is a rich source of bioactive phytoconstituents, particularly phenolics and flavonoids, which may contribute to its significant antioxidant activity and therapeutic potential. These results provide scientific support for its traditional medicinal use and highlight its promise as a natural antioxidant for managing oxidative stress-associated disorders.
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