Abstract

The use of antioxidants from natural resources has attracted increasing interest. One of the plant that was empirically used as an antioxidant dietary supplement was Polygonum pulchrum Blume (P. pulchrum Blume). This study aimed to investigate antioxidant activity of roots, stems, leaves and flowers ethanol extract of P. pulchrum Blume. The extract was obtained by maceration method using ethanol solvent. Antioxidant activity was determined with 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. We found that ethanol extracts of P. pulchrum Blume roots and stems had strong antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 25.2 mg/l and 43.26 mg/l, respectively. Ethanol extract of flowers had the weakest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 202.96 mg/l. Vitamin C had very strong antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 3.97 mg/l. In conclusion, this study revealed that ethanol extract of P. pulchrum Blume roots and stems had strong antioxidant activity, therefore, this plant might be potential as an excellent source for natural antioxidant agents for medical application.

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