Phytochemical analysis of flowers of Sambucus nigra L. growing in Lithuania

Introduction: Sambucus nigra L., or European elder, is a member of the Caprifoliaceae family, which is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and naturalized in the United States [2]. Sambucus nigra L. carries flavonoids which are the main biologically active constituents. Chief components are quercetin, rutin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol, astragalin, nicotiflorin and hyperoside. Elder also store triterpenes, essential oils, sterols, minerals and other constituents [1]. Usage: Sambucus nigra L. is stated to possess diaphoretic and anticatarrhal properties. Extracts of the flowers are used primarily as antiviral agents for colds, influenza, and Herpes virus infection, chronic nasal catarrh with deafness and sinusitis. It has immune- modulating, antioxidant, antibacterial and insulin-stimulating properties and act as a diuretic, laxative and local anti-inflammatory agent [3]. Aim of study: To evaluate total flavonoid content during the flowering season and antiradical activity in the Sambucus nigra L. flower samples, collected in Lithuania. Materials and methods: Total flavonoid assay. Total amount of flavonoid was determined by spectrophotometric method. The ethanol extract was exposed to AlCl3, kept in the dark for 30 minutes and the absorbance of the test solution was measured. Antiradical assay. The antiradical activity was determined by spectrophotometric method. The ethanol extract was exposed to DPPH solution, kept 30 minutes in the dark and the absorbance of the test solution was measured, DPPH inactivation was calculated as a percentage. [...].