Quantitative Analysis of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of Heliotropium Indicum Trunk

Abstract

Introduction: Heliotropium indicum (H.indicum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family, which is widely used for ethnobotanical applications as a medicinal plant in Cambodia. H.indicum trunk contains signification bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant activities and it is valued for its potential to treat various such as analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory. The study aims to quantify the bioactive compounds of H. indicum trunk such as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activities of H.indicum extraction.

Methods: The dried trunk 20 mg was transferred to 1% hydrochloric acid to 99% methanol, and it was then ultrasonicated at 30^oC for 30 mins. The extract was filtered and evaporated to obtain the crude extract (CE). The TPC was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method, and TFC was determined using the aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) colorimetric method, and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay (FRAP). CE at concentrations of 50–1000 µg/ml was assessed for antioxidant activity using ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline–6-sulfonic acid)) radicals.

Results: The results showed that the methanolic crude extract has TPC 0.67 ± 0.08 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of CE, TFC was 2.83 ± 0.17 mg quercetin equivalent/g of CE and antioxidant activities by FRAP showed 1.66 ± 1.51 mmole FeSO4/g of CE, ABTS radical scavenging activity showed the highest concentration at 1000 µg/ml had 79.41 ± 2.74%. 

Conclusion: H. indicum trunk have confirmed the presence of notable amounts of bioactive compounds and its significant antioxidant activities to support further exploration of pharmacological effects and as a promising candidate for development into modern formulation of herbal medicines, supplement or functional food ingredients with antioxidant properties.