Abstract
Objective. The aim of this work is to study and compare the antioxidant properties and phenolic contents of aqueous leaf extracts of Juniperus thurifera, Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus Phoenicea, and Tetraclinis articulata from Morocco. Methods. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging ability, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Also the total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extracts were determined spectrophotometrically. Results. All the extracts showed interesting antioxidant activities compared to the standard antioxidants (butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), quercetin, and Trolox). The aqueous extract of Juniperus oxycedrus showed the highest antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP assays with IC50 values of 17.91 ± 0.37 μg/mL, 19.80 ± 0.55 μg/mL, and 24.23 ± 0.07 μg/mL, respectively. The strong correlation observed between antioxidant capacities and their total phenolic contents indicated that phenolic compounds were a major contributor to antioxidant properties of these plants extracts. Conclusion. These results suggest that the aqueous extracts of Juniperus thurifera, Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea, and Tetraclinis articulata can constitute a promising new source of natural compounds with antioxidants ability.
Highlights
Researchers are looking for natural antioxidants which do not have any side effects on human health
Antioxidant activity is a complex procedure usually happening through several mechanisms and is influenced by many factors, which cannot be fully described with one single method
Three complementary tests were used to assess the antioxidant activity of J. thurifera, J. phoenicea, J. oxycedrus, and T. articulata infusions: DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and reducing power assays
Summary
Researchers are looking for natural antioxidants which do not have any side effects on human health. Medicinal plants are the major source of chemical compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity. Several studies have reported the interesting composition of Moroccan medicinal plants, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, which are known for their health benefits as antioxidants [1,2,3]. The Cupressaceae is the most common family of conifers (gymnospermae) throughout the world. They make a striking impression on the plant landscape of the mediterranean basin and are one of world’s biodiversity hotspots. The Cupressaceae grows up from the coast up to high altitudes, able to develop in extreme ecological conditions and considered among the most important aromatic plants in the Moroccan traditional medicine
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