Antioxidant activities of medicinal plant extracts

Abstract

The antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts obtained from medicinal plants (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Seeman, Pueraria lobata Ohwi, Portulaca oleracea Linne, Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var. typica Schneider, Euonymus alatus Apterus, Hovenia dulcis Thunberg, Prunus yedoensis Matsumura, Albizzia julibrissin Durazz., Chrysanthemum indicum Linne) were evaluated for total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, DPPH radicals, nitrites, superoxide- radicals, ABTS- radical scavenging activity, and reducing power. Antioxidant capacities were the highest in Prunus yedoensis Matsumura for DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 5.39 μg/mL), reducing power (2.72, A700), and nitrite scavenging activity (IC50 167.94 μg/mL). Hovenia dulcis Thunberg and Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Seeman were effective for their nitrite scavenging activities (over 90% at 1 mg/mL). The superoxide- radical scavenging activity of Prunus yedoensis Matsumura (IC50 43.39 μg/mL) was stronger than tannic acid (IC50 46.51 μg/mL). Five samples (Prunus yedoensis Matsumura, Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Seeman, Hovenia dulcis Thunberg, Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var. typica Schneider, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) were effective for their ABTS50 radical scavenging activity (more than 90% at 0.5 mg/mL). These results suggest that the ethanolic extracts of Prunus yedoensis Matsumura could be used as a functional ingredient in food products.