Quantitative Assessment of Polyphenols, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Activity in Ethanol Extracts of Artemisia absinthium and Acorus calamus from Kashmir

Abstract

The present study aimed to quantify the total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity of Artemisia absinthium L. and Acorus calamus L., collected from the northern and southern regions of the Kashmir Valley. Ethanol extracts of both plant species were prepared using a magnetic stirrer-assisted maceration method. TPC was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, while TFC was assessed via the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Results demonstrated that A. absinthium exhibited significantly higher levels of bioactive compounds, with TPC and TFC values of 128.4 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 18.27 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight, respectively. In contrast, A. calamus recorded lower values, with 12.02 mg GAE/g and 5.65 mg QE/g dry weight. Furthermore, A. absinthium exhibited a notably higher antioxidant capacity, achieving 63.40% DPPH radical scavenging activity, compared to 38.7% in A. calamus. These findings suggest that A. absinthium is a potent natural source of polyphenols and flavonoids with strong antioxidant potential. Its superior phytochemical profile highlights its promise for further exploration in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, particularly in the development of natural antioxidants.