Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds from Anthemis cotula: Antioxidant Potential Assessment

Abstract

The exploration of effective extraction methods and bioactive potential in medicinal plants remains a critical focus for natural product research. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of methanol and water extracts obtained from Anthemis cotula L. using ultrasound-assisted extraction. The extracts were characterized for extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities via six assays: CUPRAC, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, ABTS, and ferrous ion chelating activity. The water extract exhibited a higher yield (19.99%) compared to the methanol extract (11.43%). However, the methanol extract demonstrated superior TPC and TFC, with values of 64.33 mg GAEs/g extract and 39.22 mg REs/g extract, respectively, compared to 56.27 mg GAEs/g extract and 27.98 mg REs/g extract for the water extract (p < 0.05). Antioxidant assays revealed that the methanol extract possessed stronger reducing power, with CUPRAC and FRAP values of 262.83 and 154.98 mg TEs/g extract, respectively, compared to 235.98 and 127.53 mg TEs/g extract for the water extract. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were comparable between extracts, with IC50 values indicating similar efficacy. Notably, the water extract excelled in ferrous ion chelating activity (12.30 mg EDTAEs/g extract, IC50 = 1.06 mg/mL), outperforming the methanol extract (8.55 mg EDTAEs/g extract, IC50 = 1.53 mg/mL). These findings underscore the potential of A. cotula extracts, particularly in chelating metal ions and exhibiting reducing power. Future studies may focus on isolating bioactive compounds responsible for these activities and exploring their applications in pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations.