Antioxidant activity and quantification of phenols and flavonoids of Colombian plants used in urinary tract infections

Abstract

Medicinal plants are of pharmaceutical interest because they possess different biological properties, among which their antioxidant activity stands out, and therefore it is known that there is a relationship with the concentration of phenolic compounds due to their ability to reduce free radicals. Therefore, it was proposed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and the quantification of phenols and flavonoids of 11 ethanolic extracts of plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary infections (UI). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH and FRAP methods and the phenolic and flavonoid content was quantified by the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride method, respectively. It was found that of the 11 extracts evaluated, those with the highest content of these metabolites and antioxidant potential were three: Uncaria tomentosa, Sedum praealtum and Kohleria hirsuta. This work made it possible to contribute to the phytochemical and antioxidant knowledge of the plants used for the treatment of UI and it is suggested that U. tomentosa, S. praealtum and K. hirsuta be the object of future bio-directed studies, as well as the evaluation of other activities biological.