Studies on the antioxidant activity of the essential oil and extract of Tunisian Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. (Cupressaceae)

Nat Prod Res. 2013;27(16):1419-30. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2012.717289. Epub 2012 Oct 19.

Abstract

This study analyses the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of both the essential oil and the 80% aqueous acetone extract of Tetraclinis articulata leaves. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil identified 66 components that comprise 93.5% of the oil. The major constituents of the oil are: bornyl acetate (31.4%), α-pinène (24.5%) and camphor (20.3%). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined using four different test systems, namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid, reducing power and metal chelating activity assay. Test results from the DPPH system showed the strongest radical scavenging activity was exhibited by the 80% aqueous acetone extract (IC₅₀ = 5.5 µg mL⁻¹), which was two times higher than the positive control (BHT). The amount of the total phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannins was very high in the 80% aqueous acetone extracts. The correlation between the antioxidant activity potential and total phenolic level of the extract was noted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / chemistry*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Cupressaceae / chemistry*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Linoleic Acid / chemistry
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry*
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Polyphenols / chemistry
  • beta Carotene / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • beta Carotene
  • Linoleic Acid
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl