Antioxidant Activity of the Chrysanthemum Family and Quantitative Analysis of Phenolic Compounds by HPLC/UV

Abstract

Background: This research focused on evaluating the antioxidant properties and phenolic compound content of three different Chrysanthemum species from various regions in South Korea. Phenolic compounds play crucial roles in plant defense; they also attract pollinators and have applications in diverse industries, such as cosmetics, food supplements, and food packaging. Moreover, their radical-scavenging abilities make them promising in combating diseases like diabetes, Alzheimers, and cancer. Methods: The study encompassed a total of eight samples from three Chrysanthemum species, including Dendranthema indicum, Dendranthema boreale (D. boreale), and Aster spathulifolius (A. spathulifolius). These samples were collected from distinct regions in South Korea, namely Jeju Island, Pohang, Busan, and Gubong Island, and were extracted using methanol (MeOH). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was conducted using a Waters Alliance system and a YMC Pack Pro C18 column. To prepare the samples, extracts were dissolved in MeOH, and stock solutions were created for standard compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-casino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, and HPLC was used to identify phenolic compounds in the plants. Results: The study found strong antioxidant activity in all samples, with D. boreale samples from Jejudo Sanguk Flower (JSF) showing the highest potential for medicinal use. In the DPPH assay, JSF exhibited the most potent scavenging activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 5.8 mg/mL. In the ABTS assay, JSF also scored highest at 2.8 mg/mL. Further research is needed to explore their medicinal applications due to their exceptional antioxidant properties. HPLC analysis successfully detected ten out of twelve standard phenolic compounds. Conclusions: These findings underline the significant antioxidant potential of these Chrysanthemum samples, with JSF showing the most promise. The study underscores the need for further investigation into their potential medicinal and therapeutic applications, given their remarkable antioxidant properties. Overall, this study can help improve the market value of the Chrysanthemum family in various industries.