Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of Aesculus hippocastanum L.

Abstract

Aesculus hippocastanum L. (horse chestnut) belongs to the genus Aesculus, the most widespread genus of the Hippocastanaceae family, and it is native to the countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Different parts of the plant were used for the treatment of many diseases. Total phenolic content of ethanolic extracts of bark of twigs and fruit and fruit itself was evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu method while antioxidant activity was tested using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method. Preliminary investigation of chemical composition was done by TLC and aesculin was detected in samples of bark of twigs. Results for content of total phenolics were expressed as gallic acid (mg GAE/mL) and aesculin (mg AE/mL) equivalents, respectively. Among the tested samples, the highest amounts of total phenolics were detected in all bark extracts, 763.53- 1048.00 mg AE/mL, while samples of pulp had the lowest content of these compounds, 43.41-66.15 mg AE/mL. All bark extracts showed higher antioxidant activity than aesculin which was used as a standard, while extract of pulp mixed with bark showed significantly lower antioxidant potential.