Preliminary Data Regarding Polyphenols, Carotenoids and Flavonoids Content Correlated with Antioxidant Activity of some Taraxacum Sp. Fluid Extracts

Abstract

In the biomedical sciences field of recent years, phytotherapeutic products usage has intensified because they are a safe and sustainable alternative, with less environmentally aggressive molecules that are able to meet therapeutic needs. Mature vegetal product Taraxacum sp., also known as dandelion, has been used for hundreds of years as a traditional remedy for liver, kidney, lung, gastric diseases and even some cancers, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The aim of this paper was to assess the contents of some bioactive principles and overall antioxidant potential of Taraxacum sp. hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from both plant organs, herba and radix. The vegetal product was collected in the period September-October 2021, from spontaneous flora of South Dobrudja area, Romania. Fresh plant was dried at room temperature on metal sieves, grind to a fine powder and extracted 10% concentration in ethanol 50% and 70% concentrations, using cold maceration and Soxhlet extraction, standard methods, followed by filtration at normal pressure. Obtained hydroalcoholic extracts were analysed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry for determining total carotenoids, flavonoids and total polyphenols content. The total antioxidant capacity was quantified through photochemiluminescence method by comparison with the standard substance used for calibration, Trolox® as tocopherol analogue by ACL (Antioxidant Capacity of Lipid Soluble Substances) procedure using Photochem apparatus, Analytik Jena AG, Germany. Total carotenoids and flavonoids concentration, respectively polyphenols contents, were highest in 70% ethanol extracts, for the two applied extraction methods. Total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was variable, with increased values in 70% ethanol extracts of both vegetal products, herba and radix. The preliminary valuable obtained results, offer us the support for continuation of the studies regarding the therapeutic activity of Taraxacum sp. from Dobrudja spontaneous flora.