Phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity of the different extracts of Chondrilla juncea L. and Erigeron canadensis L. (Asteraceae)

Chondrilla juncea and Erigeron canadensis are plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. These plants are popular in traditional medicine for their therapeutic purposes. There are limited studies on the antioxidant capacity of their different extracts. This study assessed total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), phytochemical composition, and antioxidant potential of the methanol, ethyl acetate, and water extracts of C. juncea and E. canadensis. E. canadensis water extract had the highest TPC (78.46 mg GAE/g). Bioactive compounds of the extracts were characterized by HPLC analysis. In the HPLC analysis, more than 20 compounds were tested in the extracts. Predominant phenolic compounds of C. juncea methanol and water extracts were catechin and chlorogenic acid. E. canadensis contained the highest level of benzoic acid and chlorogenic acid. The highest CUPRAC activity was observed in methanol extracts (C. juncea: 203.50 mg TE/g, E. canadensis: 283.48 mg TE/g). E. canadensis water extract exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity (DPPH: 187.34 mgTE/g; ABTS: 209.53 mgTE/g). The C. juncea water extract showed the strongest metal chelating activity (27.40 mg EDTA/g). The results revealed that C. juncea and E. canadensis had strong antioxidant capacity. These findings highlight that C. juncea and E. canadensis could be considered natural antioxidant sources for various industrial fields.