ChemiCal Constituents of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, fam. Myrtaceae) and their antioxidant aCtivity

Sixteen volatile compounds were identified from the n-hexane extract of the buds of Syzygium aromaticum by using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The major components were eugenol (71.56 %) and eugenol acetate (8.99 %). The dichloromethane extract of the buds yielded limonin and ferulic aldehyde, along with eugenol. The flavonoids tamarixetin 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside, ombuin 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside and quercetin were isolated from the ethanol extract; identifications of all these compounds were established by chemical and spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. This is the first report of limonin, ferulic aldehyde and these flavonoids from this plant. All extracts and the isolated flavonoids showed strong antioxidant activity against 1, 2-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Among the tested extracts, the ethanol extract of the clove buds showed remarkable scavenging activity, as compared with synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). The ethanol extract of clove showed remarkable hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced liver injury in female rats.