DETERMINATION OF TOTAL ALKALOID, POLYPHENOL CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ACANTHUS INTEGRIFOLIUS T. ANDERS

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the alkaloid and polyphenol content, as well as the antioxidant activity, of the ethanolic extract of Acanthus integrifolius T. Anders, collected from Hoa Thuan Commune in Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam. It belongs to the Acanthaceae family and is also an ornamental plant. In addition, the plant is also a medicinal herb in traditional medicine that helps relieve joint pain. The results of preliminary phytochemical screening indicated the presence of various compounds within the ethanolic extract, including alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, glycosides, and saponins.  Total phenolic content  (TPC) was determined spectrophotometrically by Folin Ciocalteu colorimetric method. Total alkaloid content (TAC) of ethanolic extracts was determined by spectrophotometric method based on the reaction with Bromocresol Green (BCG) with caffeine as a standard. The total alkaloid and polyphenol contents of the extract were quantified, yielding values of 0.84±0.01 mgCE/g and 373.86±1.08 mgGAE/g, respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by DPPH radical assay, resulting in an IC₅₀ value of 57.76±0.9 µg/mL. This research represents the inaugural report of the findings pertaining to the aerial parts of Acanthus integrifolius T. Anders.