Antioxidant activity, phenolic - flavonoid content and HPLC profiling of three different variants of Syzygium cumini seeds - a comparative study

BACKGROUND: seeds probably accounts for its wide use in traditional systems of medicines in India, like Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. AIM: seeds and to compare the phenolic profiling to know the effect of geographical variation in phenolic composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: seeds were analyzed. Antioxidant activities in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), nitric oxide and superoxide radical scavenging assays were performed. The most active fractions were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiling to identify the phenolic composition. RESULTS: seed showed significant antioxidant potential. There existed a linear correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. HPLC profiling of 70% methanol (ME) fractions of all the variants revealed the presence of phenolic compounds with high concentrations of ellagic acid and gallic acid. The differences in phenolic concentration due to geographical changes might be the reason for higher antioxidant potential showed by 70% ME of Trivandrum variant. CONCLUSION: can act as a novel source of natural antioxidant.