Abstract
The ethanol-water (7 : 3, v/v) extract of Cotoneaster multiflorus sarcocarp was sequentially fractionated by liquid-liquid partition using n-hexane, diethyl ether, methylene dichloride, and ethyl acetate. The contents of total polyphenols, total flavones, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins in the five parts (including the ethanol-water extract) were determined. In addition, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging, 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt radical cation decolorization, reducing power, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays were conducted to test the antioxidant activities of Sample 1 (the ethanol-water fraction) and Sample 2 (the ethyl acetate fraction) in vitro. In the above five assays, Sample 2 showed greater antioxidant capacities than Sample 1. Furthermore, Sample 2 was better able to protect low-density lipoproteins from oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The test results show that C. multiflorus sarcocarp, especially the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, may be a potential source of natural antioxidants.
Highlights
Free radicals are atoms or groups with unpaired electrons, and they are generally unstable and highly reactive
The test results show that C. multiflorus sarcocarp, especially the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, may be a potential source of natural antioxidants
The highest contents of Total Polyphenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC) were found in Sample 2, whereas the lowest contents of all three components were found in Sample 3 based on the extraction efficiency
Summary
Free radicals are atoms or groups with unpaired electrons, and they are generally unstable and highly reactive. There is growing interest in phytochemicals, which have been hailed as “a gift from plants to humans,” as they have various health benefits and may be a new source of natural antioxidants [5, 6]. Many studies have shown that natural antioxidants in plants are usually derived from polyphenols, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. The antioxidant activities of the extracts are positively correlated with their contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, or proanthocyanidins [10, 11]. The plants having high phenolic compounds contents were proved to be a good source of powerful antioxidants [12]. The evaluation of the antioxidant activities of the extracts and fractions is regarded as a required step due to their potentials for high antioxidant potency [13]
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