Abstract

Triplaris gardneriana belongs to the family Polygonaceae, known for producing a number of biologically important molecules. The present study was aimed at identifying and quantify its total flavonoid content and determining the antioxidant and photoprotective potential of the plant’s leaves. The flavonoids present in the extract and fractions were analyzed using Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and autoxidation of β-carotene. The absorbance of the extracts was measured at different concentrations between 260 to 400 nm wavelengths. Calculation of sun protection factor (SPF) was determined using the formula developed by Mansur. The total flavonoid content was determined by the method developed by Dewanto. In the study, the following four flavonols were identified: quercetin-hexoside (2a), quercetin-pentoside (2b), quercetin-ramnobioside (2c) and myricetin-hexoside (2d). The crude ethanol extract, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions showed higher flavonoid content and also exhibited excellent antioxidant and photoprotective activity. The SPF values were best observed for the crude ethanol extract and for the chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions. The good antioxidant and photoprotective potential can be attributed to the presence of flavonols identified for the first time in this species.

Key words: Triplaris gardneriana, Polygonaceae, antioxidant activity, photoprotective activity, glycosylated flavonols, LC-MS.