Antioxidant activities of solvent fractions from root of Ulmus davidiana

Abstract

The antioxidant potentials of various solvent fractions from root of Ulmus davidiana were evaluated using the following assays: DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. The ethyl acetate fraction of U. davidiana showed significant effects in all the antioxidant assays, and contained high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. Among the other solvent fractions, the n-butanol fraction exhibited significant activity, presenting the highest activities for superoxide anion and ABTS radical scavenging. These activities were superior to those of commercial synthetic and other natural antioxidants that were tested. Overall, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of U. davidiana were most effective.