Bioactive ingredients of different extracts of Vitex agnus-castus L. Fruits from Morocco and their antioxidant potential

Abstract

The current study aimed to examine the effect of different solvents on phenols and flavonoid contents and evaluate the antioxidant activities of different extracts. At first, the Soxhlet extracts were performed with four solvents (ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, and water) and were examined for their polyphenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant potentials using three assays (DPPH, FRAP, TAC). The dosage of phytochemical compounds (polyphenolic and flavonoid contents) revealed that the highest values were established in ethanol extract (p<0.05). Additionally, the strongest antioxidant activity measured by TAC and DPPH assays was established in ethanol extract with 400±00 mg AAE/g DW and 0.36 ± 0.07mg/mL, respectively, while the methanol extract showed the best antioxidant activity as measured by FRAP with an IC50 value of 2.98 ± 0.2 mg/mL; the lowest value was observed in ethyl acetate extract. The Vitex fruits possess remarkable antioxidant potential, which may enhance their protective effects.