Phytochemical screening and in-vitro antioxidant potential of two ethnomedicinally important mosses of Dicranaceae from Darjeeling hills

Leucobryum bowringii Mitt. and Dicranum scoparium Hedw., belonging to family- Dicranaceae, are widely distributed epiphytic mosses in Darjeeling hills and are reported to have significant enthnomedicinal uses. These two mosses were analysed to determine their phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential. Phytochemical investigation demonstrated abundance of terpenoids in chloroform extract and presence of flavonoids and other phenolics in methanolic and ethanolic extracts of both the plants. Higher abundance of these compounds were observed in Leucobryum bowringii. Free radical scavenging activity and ferric ion reducing property indicated significant antioxidant potential of ethanol, methanol and chloroform extracts of both mosses. Bioactivity of the extracts may be imparted by the phytochemical constituents of those fractions. So, these mosses can be presumed to have significant pharmaceutical prospect which can be a promising source of bioactive chemicals and drugs.