Antioxidant fractions and phenolic constituents from leaves of Pluchea carolinensis and Pluchea rosea

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluated the antioxidant potential of several polar fractions of P. carolinensis and P. rosea as well as pure chemicals, some of them quantified in both species by HPLC. Methods: The antioxidant potential of polar fractions and pure chemicals were assayed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and oxygen radical potential methods. The phenolic content was performed by using Folin–Ciocalteu’s reagent. Specific phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantified by DAD-RP-HPLC. Results: The highest DPPH antioxidant potential expressed in mg TE/gDE were frequently measured in fractions from n-butyl alcohol i.e 2 (192.1 ± 0.3); 6 (181.0 ± 0.1) of P. carolinensis and in fraction 7 (188.1 ± 5.5) of P. rosea while for ORAC (mg TE/gDE) assay fraction 2 (543.0 ± 64.6) and 4 (501.4 ± 49.7) of P. carolinensis and 3 (401.3 ± 16.1) and 6 (401.3 ± 16.1) of P. rosea showed the best results. Some flavonoids and phenolic acids were also assayed; all of them showed highest Oxygen radical absorbance capacity values. Conclusion: We report the antioxidant potential of polar fractions, as well as of some pure phenolics responsible of the antioxidant potential. Some phenolics were identified and quantified for the first time in both species. Apparently, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives contribute more significant to the total antioxidant potential of the extracts.