Total phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant potential of crude methanol extract and the correspond fractions of Quercus brantii L. acorn.

Abstract

Introduction: Due to their roles in the maintenance of human health, phytochemicals and antioxidants in plants are raising interest. Phenolic and flavonoids are components with potential to protect against human diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancers. Q. brantii is one of the traditional folk medicinal plants widely used in Iran. In this study, crude methanol extract and four correspond fractions of this plant were used to evaluate the total phenolic, total flavonoids, total flavonol, and antioxidant activities. Methods: The identification of phenolic, flavonoid, and flavonol components and assay of antioxidant activity were carried out using standard in vitro procedures. Results: The n-butanol fraction (376.2±7.1) had the highest amount of total phenolic compounds and the n-butanol fraction exhibited the lowest IC50 value (6.5±0.6 μg ml). There was significant relationship between the total phenolic contents and the free radical scavenging property in the four fractions in this study (R= -0.768, P< 0.01). Conclusion: The results indicate that at least, n-butanol fraction of this plant with high phytoconstituents and less toxicity could be a promising source of medicinally important natural compound.

Keywords

• Antioxidant
• Phenolic compounds
• Fraction
• Medicinal plants
• Quercus brantii Lindl.