Antioxidant Activity, Total Polyphenol Content and Anthocyanins Content of Sambucus Ebulus L. Aqueous and Aqueous – Ethanolic Extracts Depend on the Type and Concentration of Extragent

Sambucus ebulus (SE) (Dwarf elder) is an herbaceous plant well known in the traditional medicine of the Balkans and Anatolia for its healing effects in many disorders. The present study aimed to compare SE aqueous (SEA) and aqueous – ethanolic (SEAE) (20%, 40%, 60% and 80%) fruit extracts in regard of their antioxidant activity (AOA), total polyphenol content (TPC) and anthocyanins content (AC). The ABTS cation radical decorization assay was applied to determine in vitro AOA of the extracts. TPC was determined using Folin – Ciocalteu reagent. AC was evaluated by pH – differential method. SEA extract showed highest AOA (5.50 mM UAE) and TPC (52.19 mg QE/g dry weight), followed by 40% SEAE extract and 60% SEAE extract. Highest AC was measured for 40% SEAE (14.07 mg/g dry weight) and 60% SEAE (14.2mg/g dry weight). Using 80% ethanol as extragent resulted in 32% lower AOA as compared to SEA extract. Statistical analysis showed higher degree of correlation between AOA and TPC (r= 0.98) than between AOA and AC (r=0.81). The results suggest that AOA and possible related to it beneficial effects of Sambucus ebulus extracts are primary due to its TPC.