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.