Comparative Study on the Extraction Methods of Clinachanthus nutans for Total Phenolic Content, Total Flavonoid Content and DPPH Scavenging Activity

Abstract

Clinacanthus nutans, which belongs to the family of Acanthaceae is often used as herbal remedies in complementary and alternative medicine. This study was conducted to determine the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and the DPPH scavenging activity of the different parts of C. nutans (stem, leaves, and mixture of both stem and leaves) using different type of solvents, which is absolute methanol, 80% of methanol and distilled water on different extraction methods. The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and DPPH scavenging activity were evaluated using the Follin‐Ciocalteu, aluminium chloride and 2, 2‐ diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay respectively, and correlation of the three responses were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis. From the results, it can be concluded that regardless the extraction method used, 80% methanol is the most potential solvent to be used in the extraction of C. nutans compared to absolute methanol and distilled water. However, the potential of water as the extraction solvent can be exploited with the used of pressurised hot water extractor. Leaves and mixture of C. nutans have a similar potential; both contain high TPC and TFC but lower DPPH activity. On the other hand, stem of C. nutans has high DPPH activity but lower TPC and TFC.