Antioxidant activity of alkaloid fractions of litsea cubeba lour. Fruits

Abstract

Objective: The oxidation induced by free radicals results in many degenerative disease. The purpose of this study is to determine antioxidant activities of alkaloid fractions of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) fruit. Methods: L. cubeba Lour. was extracted by maceration. Ethanol extract was fractionated with liquid-liquid extraction using n-hexane and chloroform at pH 3, 7, 9, and 11 to obtained alkaloid fractions. Antioxidant activity for extract and fractions was determined with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. Results: The IC50 of extract and fractions was 219.43±0.43, 242.97±0.93, 92.38±0.17, 40.84±0.04, 103.83±3.29, and 103.75±0.42 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The results reveal that alkaloid fractions of L. cubeba fruits have very strong antioxidant potential. Our further study is to isolate the alkaloid compounds.