Researchers from Algeria and Turkey investigated the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of Santolina chamaecyparissus, also known as lavender-cotton. They reported their findings in an article published in the International Journal of Green Pharmacy.

• S. chamaecyparissus is a small medicinal herb widely used in folk medicine, especially in North Africa and Europe.
• To obtain extracts for phytochemical analysis, the researchers used the maceration method and absolute methanol as solvent.
• They then analyzed the extract for its ability to scavenge free radicals and superoxide anion, as well as its reducing activity.
• The researchers compared these antioxidant activities to standard antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxy?anisole, butylated hydroxy?toluene and the vitamin E analog, Trolox.
• They also used liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to isolate and characterize the phenolic compounds in S. chamaecyparissus.
• The researchers found that the methanol leaf extract of S. chamaecyparissus has significant antioxidant activity, inhibiting oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The extract also showed strong reducing power.
• Meanwhile, phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the leaves of S. chamaecyparissus.
• Some of the active compounds present in the extract include:
  • p-Coumaric acid
  • Luteolin-7-O-glucoside
  • Rutin
  • Luteolin
  • Quercetin
• Among these phenolic compounds, luteolin-7-glucoside, luteolin and rutin had the highest concentrations in the extract.
• The total phenolic content of the S. chamaecyparissus methanol leaf extract was 156.4 mg/g gallic acid equivalent, while its total flavonoid content was 32.8 mg/g of quercetin equivalent.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the high antioxidant activity of S. chamaecyparissus leaves can be attributed to its abundance of phenolic compounds and flavonoids.

Journal Reference:

Boudoukha C, Elmastas M, Aksit H. ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND PHENOLIC CONTENT OF SANTOLINA CHAMAECYPARISSUS L. METHANOL EXTRACT. International Journal of Green Pharmacy. 2019;13(3):260-267. DOI: 10.22377/ijgp.v13i3.2597