Quantification of Total Phenolics in Different Parts of Pluchea indica (Less) Ethanolic and Water Extracts

One of the compounds present in Pluchea indica extracts is antioxidant which plays an important role in inhibiting free radicals and thus protects humans against infections and degenerative diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, and ageing process. The main objective of this study was to investigate and determine the total phenolic compounds of Pluchea indica in different concentrations of ethanolic extracts. This species was chosen because of its high phytonutrient compounds with potential medicinal properties. There was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in the total phenolic among the different parts of the tested plant. 50% of the ethanolic extract produced the highest total phenolic compounds (1775.00±86.00 to 658.95±5.00 μmol/g), followed by water extract (759.79±1.53 μmol/g) and 100% ethanol extract (352.72±22.30 to 249.29±5.37 μmol/g), respectively. In terms of the plant parts, the leaves contained the highest phenolic compounds (1775.00±86.00 μmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 759.79±1.53 μmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 352.72±22.30 μmol/g in 100% ethanol extract), followed by the stems (990.22±24.00 μmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 990.22±24.59 μmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 293.48±0.00 μmol/g in 100% ethanol extract). Meanwhile, lower total phenolic compounds were detected in the flowers (727.71±11.00 μmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 603.81±8.46 μmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 249.29±5.37 μmol/g in 100% ethanol extract) and roots (658.95±5.00 μmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 450.00±10.76 μmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 272.28±0.53 μmol/g in 100% ethanol extract). Based on these findings, Pluchea indica has potential medicinal properties that can be further developed to produce neutraceutical products, diet supplements or cosmetic products. However, further research should first be conducted on the effects of these compounds on laboratory animals