Capparis spinosa L. belongs to the family Capparaceae is distributed throughout India and commonly known as Maratimokku in Tamil. In the present study attempts were made to assess the phytochemical, nutraceutical and chemical composition, pharmacological properties and safety profiles of C. spinosa. Powder microscopy revealed characteristics features of C. spinosa. Preliminary phytochemical screening of flower buds of C. spinosa L. revealed the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, anthraquinones and lignins in aqueous extract. The nutraceutical and chemical compositions exposed the presence of good measures of studied parameters. Strong anti-oxidant activity was noticed in aqueous extract…show more content… C.spinosa L. is a perennial spiny bush that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and big white to pinkish white flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region and growing wild on walls or in rocky coastal areas throughout India. The phytochemicals identified in this plant were lipids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, lignins, glucocapperin, and polyphenols (Al-Said et al 1988; Calis et al. 2002; Manikandaselvi and Brindha 2014). Even though it has been used in traditional Indian system of medicines for various human diseases, the summation of its medicinal properties is lacking. C. spinosa L. has anthelminthic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, cardiovascular, chondroprotective, anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-allergic, anti-histaminic, immune modulatory, anti-carcinogenic and anti-hepatotoxic activity (Eddouks et al 2004; Inocencio et al.…show more content… The glassware were made sterile by washing in dilute nitric acid thoroughly and then with double distilled water and dried in hot air oven.
Collection and authentication of plant material Plant source selected for the present study was flower buds of C. spinosa L. and was procured from raw drug market of Thanjavur. The selected plant drug was identified with the help of Flora of Presidency of Madras and authenticated by comparing with voucher specimen deposited at RAPINAT Herbarium, Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli. After proper identification and authentication, the collected material was cleaned, shade dried and coarsely powdered. Aqueous extract was prepared by soaking the coarse powder of seeds (100 g) in distilled water (1 L) and kept in shaker for 48 h at room temperature. Then, the content was filtered through Whatman filter paper (Number 42) and the filtrate was collected, frozen and lyophilized for further studies. All the parameters were taken in triplicate and data of the results obtained were