Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content of Artemisia Campestris
The study found that Artemisia campestris extracts possess significant antioxidant activity, particularly the methanolic extracts in the β-carotene bleaching assay, which performed comparably to the BHA standard. The activity is complex and highly dependent on the extraction solvent, with methanolic extracts yielding the highest phenolic and flavonoid content overall.
Key Takeaways
Methanolic extraction yielded the highest phenolic content and extraction yield.
Antioxidant capacity varies significantly based on the extraction solvent used.
Artemisia campestris showed excellent activity in the β-carotene bleaching test.
Aqueous extracts from Oum El Bouaghi had the best DPPH scavenging activity.
All extracts were statistically inferior to the BHA standard in most tests.
Why was the antioxidant activity of Artemisia campestris studied?
The primary objective of this research was to rigorously evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity and accurately quantify the total phenolic content of Artemisia campestris, a plant locally recognized in Algeria as 'T'gouft.' This species, belonging to the Asteraceae (Compositae) family, is traditionally valued for its known biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. To ensure a comprehensive analysis of regional variation, researchers sourced plant samples from two geographically distinct locations in Algeria: Boussaada in the South East and Oum El Bouaghi in the East, aiming to establish the phytochemical profile and potential therapeutic utility.
- Plant Background: Artemisia campestris (T'gouft), a member of the Asteraceae family, is known for its traditional anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities.
- Study Aim: To evaluate the plant's in vitro antioxidant activity and quantify its total phenolic content using standardized laboratory methods.
- Sample Sourcing: Samples were collected from two distinct Algerian regions: Boussaada (South East Algeria) and Oum El Bouaghi (East Algeria).
How were the Artemisia campestris extracts prepared and chemically analyzed?
Extract preparation involved two distinct processes to compare solvent efficiency: methanolic extraction, achieved through maceration at ambient temperature for 24 hours (repeated twice), which resulted in the highest extraction yield (up to 15.68%); and aqueous extraction, prepared via decoction for 15 minutes, which yielded the lowest results (3.4% to 4.94%). Chemical content was analyzed using four specific assays: the Folin-Ciocalteu method for Total Phenolic Content, the Aluminum Chloride method for Total Flavonoids Content, a colorimetric assay for Flavones and Flavonols, and the Vanillin assay for Tannins Content.
- Extraction Processes: Methanolic extract preparation (maceration, highest yield of 15.68% and 6.36%) and Aqueous extract preparation (decoction, lowest yields of 3.4% and 4.94%).
- Chemical Content Analysis: Included measuring Total Phenolic Content (Folin-Ciocalteu method), Total Flavonoids Content (Aluminum Chloride method), Flavones and Flavonols Content (Colorimetric assay), and Tannins Content (Vanillin assay).
- In Vitro Antioxidant Assays: Three tests were performed: DPPH Scavenging Activity (IC50 measured), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP, EC50 measured), and Bleaching Ability in β-carotene/Linoleic Acid System (Inhibition % measured).
What specific results were obtained for phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity?
Analysis of chemical content revealed that the methanolic extract consistently contained the highest levels of total phenolics (e.g., 88.61 mg GAE/g in Boussaada) and flavonoids/flavonols, while the aqueous extract showed a considerable amount of tannins. In the antioxidant assays, the aqueous extract from Oum El Bouaghi demonstrated the best DPPH scavenging activity with the lowest IC50 (48.42 µg/ml). However, the methanolic extracts showed excellent performance in the β-carotene bleaching test, achieving inhibition percentages (88.03%) that were highly comparable to the BHA standard (89.43%), despite being inferior to BHA in the DPPH and FRAP assays.
- Phenolic & Flavonoid Content: Total Phenolics were highest in the Methanolic Extract (e.g., 88.61 mg GAE/g in Boussaada), as were Flavonoids/Flavonols; Tannins were considerable in the Aqueous extract.
- DPPH Radical Scavenging: The Aqueous extract from Oum El Bouaghi showed the best activity (lowest IC50: 48.42 µg/ml), though all extracts were inferior to the BHA standard.
- FRAP Assay (Reducing Power): Methanolic extract from Oum El Bouaghi was the highest (EC50: 266.74 µg/ml), but reducing power was inferior to the BHA standard.
- β-carotene Bleaching: Methanolic extracts showed excellent activity (e.g., 88.03% for Oum El Bouaghi), which was comparable to the BHA standard (89.43%).
What is the overall conclusion about Artemisia campestris's antioxidant potential?
The main conclusion drawn from the data is that the antioxidant capacity of Artemisia campestris is highly complex and significantly dependent on the specific solvent used for extraction. The methanolic extracts, due to their high phenolic and flavonoid content, demonstrated excellent activity in inhibiting lipid peroxidation, particularly in the β-carotene test, suggesting strong potential for industrial applications. All analyses conducted throughout the study were performed in triplicate to ensure reliability, and statistical significance was rigorously determined based on a p-value threshold of less than 0.05 when compared against the synthetic BHA standard.
- Main Conclusion: Antioxidant capacity is complex, varying significantly based on the solvent used, confirming the importance of extraction method selection.
- Specific Finding: Methanolic extracts show excellent activity in the B-carotene test, indicating strong lipid protection potential.
- Statistical Significance: Analyses were performed in triplicate, and significance was based on p < 0.05 compared to the BHA standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which extraction method yielded the best results for phenolic content?
The methanolic extract preparation, using maceration, resulted in the highest extraction yield (up to 15.68%) and the highest concentration of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, such as 88.61 mg GAE/g in the Boussaada sample.
How did Artemisia campestris perform in the β-carotene bleaching assay?
Methanolic extracts showed excellent activity in the β-carotene bleaching assay, achieving inhibition percentages (e.g., 88.03%) that were highly comparable to the synthetic antioxidant standard, BHA (89.43%).
Were the Artemisia campestris extracts better antioxidants than the standard BHA?
Generally, no. While the methanolic extracts were comparable to BHA in the β-carotene test, all extracts were statistically inferior to the BHA standard in the DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays.
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