Flavonoids in Angiospermatophyta and Spermatophyta Species and their Antioxidant Activity

The purpose of this study was the quantitative determination of some flavonoids (quercetin, rutin and kaempherol) contained in Angiospermatophyta and Spermatophytd genus plant extracts. Also the antioxidant activity of their hydro-alcoholic extracts was evaluated. The quantitative determination of quercetin, rutin and kaempherol was achieved through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the antioxidant activity was assessed by the chemiluminescence method. The studied species were: Alchemilla vulgaris common lady's-mantle (aerial part), Allium ursinum - bear's garlic (leaves), Acorus calamus - common sweet flag (roots), Solidago virga-aurea - goldenrod (aerial part), Agrimonia eupatoria - agrimony (aerial part), Viscum album - European mistletoe (leaves and branches) and Veronica officinalis - common speedwell (aerial part). The hydro-methanolic extracts (98% methanol) of Alchemilla vulgaris and Solidago virga-aurea had the highest antioxidant activity, probably given by the high content in flavonoids of quercetin and rutin type.