Total phenolic, flavonoid, and saponin content of methanol extract from the medical plant Gynura procumbens

Abstract

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. is a medicinal plant from Family Asteraceae commonly found in tropical Asia countries such as Indonesia. G. procumbens contains bioactive compounds such as triterpenoids, polyphenols, saponins, steroids, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, coumaric acid, para hydroxybenzoic acid, flavonoids, and essential oils. This study aimed to determine phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and saponins content in the leaves, stems, and roots of G. procumbens. These bioactive compounds were determined by extraction method with methanol solvent and analyzed using thin layer chromatography, Image-J software, and spectrophotometer. The results of the flavonoid content using TLC method showed that the leaves organ has the highest flavonoids content compared to other organs. The results of the saponin test using TLC did not show any saponin spot on the leaves, stems, roots of G. procumbens based on a standard solution of saponins. The results of analysianalysis results using a spectrophotometer showed that the total of phenolic (438.85 GAE mg/L for the total of phenolic compound content) and from the results of Image-J, it was found that the highest flavonoid color intensity was obtained in the leaf organ of G. procumbens. were the highest compared to the stem and root organs. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the leaves organ of G. procumbens contained a lot of phenolic and flavonoid compounds content, while the content of saponin compounds contained was are so small that they are not detected by the TLC method.