Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Tectaria heracleifolia extracts

Abstract

Tectaria heracleifolia is a fern, which is known to have traditional uses like alleviate burns, pimples and mouth sores. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant capacity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of raw extracts of T. heracleifolia. Antioxidant activity of infusion, aqueous, methanolic and ethylic acetate extracts from T. heracleifolia was determined by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•) assay. Aqueous extract presented the highest antioxidant activity (252 micromoles trolox equivalent per milligram extract, μmol TE/mg ext.). As well as 0.084 mg/mL was required to obtain a 50% antioxidant effect (IC50); this extract also showed anti-inflammatory activity with 52% inhibition rate as compared to dexamethasone (73.66%). The high contents of total phenolic compounds were found within the infusion 0.043 milligrams catechin equivalents per extract microgram (mg CE/μg ext.); while total flavonoids were found in aqueous extract 0.76 milligrams routine equivalents per extract microgram (mg RE/μg ext.).