engleski

Electrochemical investigation of antioxidant capacity of medicinal plants

The application of herbs in treatment is considered the oldest therapy of all nations throughout history. Nowadays, phytotherapy based on research, chemical analysis and strict standards is becoming more popular among physicians and pharmacists in Europe, including Croatia. The aim of this research was the electrochemical characterization of antioxidants capacity of four endemic medicinal plants collected on Mt Velebit and in Dalmatia region: modro lasinje (Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb.), hrvatska bresina (Micromeria croatica (Pers.) Schott), srednja krkavina (Rhamnus intermedius Steud. et W. Hochst.) and modri vrisak (Satureja subspicata Vis.). Determination of antioxidant capacity of low formal potential phenolic compounds present in aqueous and methanolic extracts of the investigated plants was carried out using cyclic voltammetry. The results show that the extracts contain significant concentrations of compounds containing pyrogallol and catechol group and smller concentration of monophenol compounds. S. subspicata showed excellent antioxidant capacity compared to other plants, where leaf exhibited higher antioxidant capacity than flower due to the presence of slightly higher concentrations of monophenolic compounds. By determining the antioxidant capacity of different plant parts of M. croatica collected at three different locations, it was concluded that the antioxidant capacity decreases in the following order: leaf > flower > stem where leaf has a higher concentration of catechol compounds than flower. By comparing the antioxidant capacity of plant collected at different locations it was determined that the antioxidant capacity decreases in the following order: Bačić Kuk (middle Velebit) > Stupačinovo (middle Velebit) > Bojinac (southern Velebit). Methanolic extracts exhibited similar voltammograms like aqueous extracts with somewhat higher antioxidant capacities but with very good correlation (r2 = 0.878).

medicinal plants; antioxydant capacity; cyclic voltammetry

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