Abstract

Medicinal plants are an important source of phytochemicals that offer traditional medicinal treatment of various ailments. This research set to assess phytochemicals in the ethanolic extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. leaves and flowers by quantitative and qualitative screening procedures. The Hypericum perforatum L. flowers and leaves were gathered, and the extract was provided from ethanol (5%) by microwave assisted extraction (MAE). The phytochemical assessment was done applying standard methods & the phytochemical evaluation by using standard methods. The total phenolic contents of ethanolic extracts were estimated by Folin Ciocalteau method and total flavonoids contents were determined by the Aluminium Chloride Colorimetric method. Ethanolic extracts invitro antioxidant activity was assessed by via evaluating 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity by the standard method. Ethanolic extracts from flowers and leaves of Hypericum perforatum L. showed total phenolic contents of (15.32 ± 0.07) and (7.39 ± 0.43) mg GAE/g dry plant material respectively. Total flavonoid contents of ethanolic extracts from leaves and flowers of Hypericum perforatum L. were (1.09 ± 0.08) and (0.38 ± 0.05) mg QE/g dry plant material, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the investigated ethanolic extract of leaves and flowers of Hypericum perforatum L. were scavenging ability of DPPH radical scavenging activity and IC₅₀ value (89.45% to 2.15 ± 0.02) and (74.77% to 1.96 ± 0.06) mg/ml respectively. The ethanolic extract of leaves and flowers of Hypericum perforatum L. contains terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, cardiac glycosides, quinones and phlobatannins. This study may contribute to drugs development to cure different diseases.

Keywords: Hypericum perforatum L.; Microwave assisted extraction; Ethanolic extracts; Antioxidant activity; Folin-Ciocalteau; Flavonoids; Cardiac glycosides