Total Flavonoid and Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Spermacoce Latifolia Extracts

The present study compares different extraction methods for recovery of total phenolics and flavonoids from Spermacoce latifolia and their antioxidant properties. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric method respectively, while antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Results showed that the n-butanol fraction exhibited the highest content of total phenolics (57.97 +/- 1.99 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract). Besides, the highest content of total flavonoids (168.16 +/- 0.65 mg rutin equivalents/g extract) and the highest antioxidant activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay (SC 50 = 51.44 +/- 0.24 mu g/mL), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline6-sulphonic acid) assay (SC 50 = 10.94 +/- 0.11 mu g/mL), and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (8.36 +/- 0.10 mmol Fe(II)/g extract) were observed for the ethyl acetate fraction. The high level of total flavonoids in the ethyl acetate fraction might be the major contributors towards the antioxidant activity. To conclude, the ethyl acetate fraction of S. latifolia might be used as natural antioxidants.