Comparison of total phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity between Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia dubia, Artemisia salsoide and Artemisia annua

Abstract

Introduction. Artemisia L. genus is one of the largest and most common members of Asteraceae family. In this genus we have over 500 species. Plants’ bioactive components such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds have multiple pharmacological properties. In folk medicine Artemisia L. could be used to treat scurvy, bronchitis, ulcers. Furthermore, these plants tones, some species could be used as diuretics, antiseptics, antimalarials or antidiabetics preparations [1, 2, 3]. Determination of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity is an important factor assessing the quality of herbal raw material. Materials and Methods The object of the study – Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia dubia, Artemisia salsoide and Artemisia annua have been cultivated in the Botanical Garden of Siauliai University (55˚550 57” N, 23˚160 59” E (WGS)). Raw material was collected in September, 2019. The extracts were prepared using 0,25 g of dry herbs and 25 ml of 70 % ethanol, and the extraction was performed in an ultrasonic bath for 15 minutes. Total phenolic compounds content and antioxidant capacity of the selected Artemisia L. species were analyzed by spectrophotometric Folin-Ciocalteu and ABTS assays, respectively. Results and discussion The results have shown that the highest total phenolic compounds content was determined in the extracts of Artemisia dubia L. (55,09 ± 7,5 mg GAE/g) and Artemisia salsoide L. (50,61 ± 2,19 mg GAE/g). The lowest total phenolic compounds content was determined in the extracts of Artemisia absinthium L. (24,74 ± 4,72 mg GAE/g). Artemisia annua L. extracts have shown a similar result as Artemisia absinthium L. (26,12 ± 0,05 mg GAE/g). The antioxidant capacity assay has shown a slightly different result. The biggest antioxidant capacity measured in Artemisia annua L. (775 ± 10 μmol (TE)/g). Artemisia dubia L. (565 ± 15 μmol (TE)/g) and Artemisia salsoide L. (540 ± 15 μmol (TE)/g) has qui[...].