Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Tanacetum parthenium Cultivated in Different Regions of Ukraine: Insights into the Flavonoids and Hydroxycinnamic Acids Profile

Plants (Basel). 2023 Aug 14;12(16):2940. doi: 10.3390/plants12162940.

Abstract

Tanacetum parthenium, also known as feverfew, is rich in bioactive compounds, namely sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and volatile oils. Sesquiterpene lactones possess anti-migraine activity, while phenolic compounds possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Phytochemical composition determines the pharmacological activity and so profiling is essential in quality assessment. The study aimed to evaluate cultivated feverfew plants' phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified in the samples of feverfew in Ukraine. Hydroxycinnamic acids predominate in the quantitative content of all the samples, namely chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. The total content of flavonoids ranged from 0.8 to 2.6%; the content of hydroxycinnamic acids varied from 3.3 to 6.5%. The obtained data testify to the prospects of using Ukrainian feverfew as a raw material with a significant content of phenolic substances to develop new herbal medicines.

Keywords: HPLC–PDA; Tanacetum parthenium; antioxidant activity; feverfew; phenolic compounds.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.