LAUSR

The present study for the first time investigated the effects of Salicylic acid (SA) (50, 100 and 200 mg/L) on in vitro growth and antioxidant capacity of Berberis asiatica. SA significantly enhanced in vitro shoot multiplication at 100 mg/L concentration. The result showed highest significant increase in antioxidant activity by 50 mg/L SA elicited plantlets in terms of DPPH (2,2-Di-phenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity (IC50 32.42 ± 0.51), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Activity (292.73 ± 2.09 mg AAE/g dw) and Metal Chelating Activity (IC50 13.18 ± 0.52). The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling revealed presence of 46, 38, 34 and 29 phytochemicals in control, SA1, SA2 and SA3 methanolic extracts respectively. Among the identified compounds, eight compounds, 4H-Pyran-4-one,2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl; 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid; 3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (and Phytol); hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester; 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-,methyl ester; di-n-octyl phthalate; stigmast-5-en-3-ol,(3.beta.)- or ß- sitosterol; and squalene were previously known for antioxidant potential.