Antioxidant Activity of Vitex rotundifolia Seeds and Phytochemical Analysis Using HPLC-PDA

ABSTRACT

This study assessed in vitro antioxidant activity (ABTS+ and DPPH) of Vitex rotundifolia seeds collected from two different regions in Korea (Jungjang City and Sindu City). Three extraction methods using ethanol, methanol, and water were prepared separately and subjected to quantification by reverse-phase highperformance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) analysis as well as antioxidant testing.Among them, the water-based extract exhibited superior activity in the ABTS+ compared with the ethanol- and methanol-based extracts, while the DPPH assay analysis, revealed that the methanol-based extract had very low antioxidant activity. The concentrations of vanillic acid (1), luteolin (2), vitexicarpin (3), and artemetin (4) were quantified using HPLC-PDA analysis. Vanillic acid (1) was identified as the main antioxidant in V. rotundifolia seeds. Combining the antioxidant activity and quantitative analysis results, the water-based extract was considered to have the highest antioxidant activity. Furthermore, vanillic acid (1) was detected in the leaves and stems of V. rotundifolia plants from different regions, indicating that this species has the potential for use in future antioxidant-applications.