Objective/Background This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity and phenolic compound profiles of flowers and leaves of Abelmoschus manihot , recognizing that different plant organs may exhibit distinct metabolic compositions. The research focused on part-specific phytochemical differences, emphasizing the need for foundational knowledge before considering any practical use. Methods Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted using a range of in vitro assays to assess antioxidant capacities, including total phenolic and flavonoid contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and SOD-like enzyme assays. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) was employed to identify and quantify phenolic compounds in both flowers and leaves. Results Although the leaves showed numerically higher total polyphenol content and FRAP values, and the flowers exhibited greater mean values of flavonoids and radical scavenging capacity, these differences were not statistically significant (p > .05). SOD-like activities were similar for both tissues. 74 phenolic compounds were identified in leaves and 64 in flowers, with isoflavones and hydroxycinnamic acids abundant in leaves and hyperoside, hirsutrin, rutin, and myricetin predominant in flowers. Conclusion The distinct antioxidant profiles and metabolite compositions of A. manihot flowers and leaves provide useful foundational data for further research. However, the biological significance, safety, efficacy, and practical utility of these characteristics must be validated with additional in vivo and clinical studies prior to any application in food, medicine, or health-related fields.
Kim et al. (Sun,) studied this question.