Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 4(1), March 2013, pp. 67-72 Evaluative and comparative study of biochemical, trace elements and antioxidant activity of Phlogacanthus pubinervius T. Anderson and Phlogacanthus jenkinsii C. B. Clarke leaves Warjeet S Laitonjam*, Rajkumar Yumnam, Satyavama D Asem and Sujata D Wangkheirakpam Department of Chemistry Manipur University, Canchipur-795 003, Manipur, India Received 3 February 2012; Accepted 21 July 2012 The present research investigates presence of biochemical and nutritive contents and trace elements present in the leaves of Phlogacanthus pubinervius T. Anderson and Phlogacanthus jenkinsii C.B. Clarke. A comparative study of chemical compositions of the two plants in moisture content, micronutrients (Fe, Mn Cu) by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS); macronutrients (Na and K) by using Atomic Emission spectroscopy (AES); phosphorus, total sugar, total free phenol, bound phenol, total free amino acids and tannins by using UV-VIS spectrophotometer is reported. There are relatively high levels in the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of leaves of both plants. The results suggest that the leaves of these plants have potential medicinal property through their high tannic acid contents showing disease resistivity, Fe, Mn, Cu, K to insulin potentiating property, phenolic content and antioxidant activity to free radical scavenging property. Keywords: Macronutrient Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Antioxidant, Phlogacanthus pubinervius, Phlogacanthus jenkinsii IPC code; Int. cl. (2011.01)-A61K 36/00, A61P 17/18 Introduction Phlogacanthus pubinervius T. Anderson (Acan- thaceae) is a perennial shrub grown luxuriantly in Manipur valley (North-East India). The people of Manipur have traditionally been using the green leaves over the ages for the treatment of cold cough, rheumatism and liver disorder 1 . Phlogacanthus jenkinsii C.B. Clarke locally known as Nongmangkha ashinba, a shrub with stout quadrangular branches is very popular because of its medicinal properties in Manipur (Plate 1a-b). Decoction of leaves is used as a febrifuge and also given in diseases of spleen and liver 1-2 . The comparative study of these plants for their biochemical and trace elements content will manifest the plants promising medicinal property. The chemical significance of the biochemical and trace element content is well known. The high tannic acid content shows the high disease resistance as an anti nutritional has anti-carcinogenic property 3 . The presence of the evaluated trace elements shows insulin potentiating factor, the phenolic properties against oxidative stress 4 . Antioxidants are related to its free radical scavenging property which can be applied in herbal therapy. Materials and Methods Fresh healthy leaves of P. pubinervius T. Anderson (PP) were collected from Patsoi Part (III), Imphal West district, Manipur and the leaves of P. jenkinsii C. B. Clarke (PJ) were collected from Langol, Imphal West district, Manipur (India) during September, 2007. Voucher specimens of both the plants have been authenticated and deposited in the museum of the Life Sciences Department, Manipur University, Imphal. The powdered leaves were subjected to various sample preparations for estimation of biochemicals and the trace elements in (mg/100g). For moisture determination, the fresh leaves were cleaned, grounded and extracted with methanol and chloroform for the determination of its antioxidant property. Determination of moisture and proximate analyses 5, 6 Moisture and proximate analyses were determined by AOAC method. Fresh leaves of PP (6.3855 g) and PJ (6.3666 g), free from unwanted materials like dust particles, dew drops, etc were accurately weighed, ___________ *Correspondent author: Fax: +91 385 2435145 Tele: +91-385-2435093, 0986271570; *E-mail: warjeet@yahoo.com