Research of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the Immortelle (Helichrysum bracteatum)

Abstract

Topicality. Recently there is an increased demand for herbal drugs. It is important to increase the raw material base of medicinal plants for the pharmaceutical industry, as well it is actually to replace the imported medicinal plant material on the domestic. Medicines with antioxidant action protecting against free radicals are demanded in various fields of medicine. Herbal drugs are considered to be one of the antioxidants sources for human body. Herbal drugs containing flavonoids and other phenolic compounds are particularly important in comprehensive study.Aim. To study the phenolic compounds composition, to determine the antioxidant activity of the immortelle herb aqueous extract (Helichrysum bracteatum).Materials and methods. For the study, powdered herb of immortelle was used. In this research, the composition of phenolic compounds was studied by chromatography and UV-spectroscopy, and the method of chemiluminescence was used to research the antioxidant activity of immortelle herb aqueous extract. In the experiment, the chemiluminescence were recorded in a system consisting of a luminolum solution, hydrogen peroxide and human hemoglobin. The concentration and volume of the system components have been selected in such a way that flavonoids, which determine the antioxidant effect of the investigated herbal drug, have been completely oxidized during the experiment.Results and discussion. For the first time, research was carried out on phenolic substances in the immortelle herb were discovered: caffeic acid, luteolin derivatives, including O-C-glycosides, as well as aurones and their glycosides. For the first time, the extract of immortelle herb inhibitory effect on the chemiluminescent reaction of the luminal oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline medium in the presence of hemoglobin was studied. The total antioxidant capacity of the investigated extract was calculated on the basis of reduction of the chemiluminescence. It has been experimentally found that 50 % I/I0 is achieved with a diluted 7.5 : 1000, indicating high antioxidant properties of the extract.Conclusions. For the first time the analysis of phenolic compounds composition and the chemiluminescence reduction were carried out. This study has shown that herb of immortelle has antioxidant activity and is promising for further study in order to create drugs with antioxidant activity.