Total phenolic compounds and scavenging activity in Clitoria ternatea and Vitex negundo linn

This study was done to assess the total phenolic compounds (TPC) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity in the flowers and leaves of Clitoria ternatea and Vitex negundo Linn. by using methanol and water extraction. TPC were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteau method. Methanol was more efficient in extracting phenolic compounds compared with water in measuring TPC. Vitex negundo Linn. contained higher amount of TPC compared to Clitoria ternatea. Besides that, leaves for both plants showed higher amount of TPC compared to the flowers. Methanol extracted Vitex negundo Linn. showed higher DPPH scavenging activity compared with Clitoria ternatea. In contrast, DPPH scavenging activity for water extracted Clitoria ternatea showed higher value in compare with water extracted Vitex negundo Linn.. The type of solvent used to extract the plant material and concentration of extracts used showed significance difference (P < 0.05) on the amount of DPPH scavenged by the plant extract. The presence of antioxidant activity in both leaves and flowers showed that Clitoria ternatea and Vitex negundo Linn. have the potential to be an alternative source of natural antioxidants. In vivo study is needed for successful commercialization and to benefit both the food and pharmaceutical industries.