221642 Comparative assessment of total phenolic content in selected medicinal plants

Monday, November 8, 2010

Cynthia Johnson, ND, MS, DrPH (c) , School of Community Health and Policy, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Frederick O. Oladeinde, PhD , School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Antony M. Kinyua, PhD , Dept. of Physics, School of Computer, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Ruel Michelin , School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Saroj K. Pramanik, PhD , Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Yvonne L. Bronner, ScD , School of Community Health and Policy, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Arthur L. Williams, PhD , Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Introduction Phenols are important constituents present in most plant materials. One important role of phenolics is their antioxidant activity, providing anti-aging protection against degenerative diseases.They have been greatly proven to reduce the incidence of all cancers. Objective The objective of this study was to compare the total phenolic (TP) content in extracts from eleven plant materials collected at different locations in Kenya, Nigeria, and USA. These plants have been selected because the majority of them are highly pigmented, from yellow to purple and would therefore have economic value in industries for producing antioxidants and surfactants. Two of them were collected from an industrial and a domestic waste outlet. Methods Each analysis was achieved employing the Folin-Ciocalteau technique. Results The order of decreasing phenolic acid content as gallic acid concentration (mg/g dry weight) was Prunus africana (55.14) > Acacia tortilis (42.11) > Khaya grandifoliola (17.54) > Curcuma longa (17.23) > Vernonia amygdalina (14.9)> Russelia equisetiformis (14.03) > Calendula officinalis (7.96) >Phragmites australis (control) (7.09) > Rauwolfia vomitoria (6.69) > Phragmites australis (industrial)(6.21) > Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (5.6). The TP contents of Spartina alterniflora species were below the detection limit. The optimization of the technique and the TP contents in the plants is presented and discussed. Conclusion Various studies demonstrate that the plants with the highest TP content have potential for greater antioxidant activity. Therefore, further research is warranted to determine antioxidant activity of these plants.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Environmental health sciences
Public health biology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Name several medicinal plants. Discuss the importance of antioxidants. Compare phenolic content of several medicinal plants.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Herbal Medicine

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am DrPH candidate, practicing Naturopath and Herbalist.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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