A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF SOME ANTIOXIDANT COMPOUNDS IN PENNYWORT (Centella asiatica)

Tóm tắt

Pennywort (Centella asiatica) is a renowned herb for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound-healing properties. Therefore, it is necessary to exploit its medicinal potential fully. This study aimed to assess its bioactive compounds (flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids), quantify total flavonoids and polyphenols, and evaluate antioxidant activity. The extraction parameters, including material-to-solvent ratio (1:1, 1:3 and 1:5), temperature (30, 40 and 50°C), and time (1, 2 and 3 h), were optimized. Results confirmed the presence of target compounds in pennywort extracts. Optimal extraction conditions were determined as a 1:3 leaves-to-solvent ratio at 40°C for 2 hours, yielding 1.73 mgGAE/g total polyphenols and 4.26 mgQE/g total flavonoids. Antioxidant capacity, measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity, exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 89.16 mg/mL.