Antioxidant Activity of Rubus fraxinifolius Poir. and Rubus rosifolius J. Sm. Leaves

Objective: Rubus fraxinifolius and R. rosifolius are found growing in mountainous areas of West Java and potentially act as an antioxidant. The objective of this research was to examine the antioxidant activity of Rubus rosifolius J. Sm. and R. fraxinifolius Poir. leaves. Methods: Dried leaves powder were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The extracts were evaporated, and antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH free radical scavenger methods as well as FRAP reduction capability. Total phenolic contents from the extract gave the best antioxidant activity was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Results: IC50 of DPPH scavenging activity of n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of R. fraxinifolius were >200; 140.97; and 4.48 ppm, while for R. rosifolius were >200; 29.67; and 5.17 ppm, respectively. Percent FRAP capacity of R. fraxinifolius in 25 ppm were 55.65; 89.47; and 97.65 %, while for R. rosifolius were 73.51; 82.83; and 96.5, respectively. Total phenolic content of the methanolic extract of R. fraxinifolius and R. rosifolius were 39.0 + 26.5 and 80.62+21.6 mg GAE/g extract. Conclusion: Both methanolic extracts showed a significant optimum trapping capability of free radicals and the hexane extracts did not show antioxidant activity. Thus, it may be concluded that the methanolic extracts of both leaves possess potent antioxidant properties and had high total phenolic content. This investigation provides promising results to emphasize the importance of antioxidant capabilities of both plants.