Context: The present study deals with the phytochemistry properties and antioxidant activities of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and plum (Prunus domestica) leaves.
Objective:The current study measures the flavonoids and phenolic acids contents ofthe ethanolic extracts of apricot and plum leaves,and evaluates theirantioxidant potential.
Materials and methods:Phenolic composition was assessed using LC-ESI-MS technique. Antioxidant potential was evaluated by manycomplementary methods.
Results: Prunus extracts contained high level of phenolics (445-468 mg GAE/g extract), which correlate with their appreciable antioxidant potentialin DPPH• radical-scavenging (IC50: 22-42 μg/ml) and Fe3+ reducing (EC50: 0.10-0.11 mg/ml) assays. Rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) was the major compound (25.8mg/g extract) followed by 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6.32mg/g extract) in apricot leaves, whereas quinicacid (2.55mg/g extract) and quercitrin (1.09mg/g extract) were the major ones in plumleaves.
Conclusion: Prunus leaves may be useful as a candidate for potent antioxidants.