Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of extracts from Ixora coccinea L. flowers originating in Vietnam

Abstract

  The Ixora flower contains numerous bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential. This study investigates the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of red and yellow Ixora coccinea flowers by extracting bioactive compounds using 96% ethanol (EtOH) and acetone (Ac) as solvents. Chemical composition was analyzed using GC-MS, total polyphenol content (TPC) was determined, and in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed via iron (III) reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The results revealed the presence of 11 compounds in red I. coccinea flowers and 8 compounds in yellow I. coccinea flowers. The EtOH extract of red I. coccinea flowers exhibited the highest TPC (168.18 mg GAE/g). The iron (III) reducing power assay showed that the EtOH extract of red I. coccinea flowers had the lowest IC₅₀ value (299 µg/mL). Similarly, in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, the EtOH extract of red I. coccinea flowers demonstrated better antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 212 µg/mL). The antioxidant capacity of red I. coccinea flowers was superior to that of yellow I. coccinea flowers, particularly in the EtOH extract. These findings provide a basis for further research utilizing native resources in the field of human health, contributing to sustainable solutions for a circular bioeconomy.