A phytochemical study on Potentilla anatolica: An endemic Turkish plant

Potentilla species have been used for treatment of several ailments (ulcer, respiratory problems or diarrhea) in different countries. The different solvent extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, and water) of P. anatolica were studied for antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory activity, and phytochemical profile. Phytochemical profile was evaluated as total phenolic, flavonoid, saponin, triterpenoid content, and fatty acid composition. The ethyl acetate extract contained the richest concentration of total phenolics, saponins and triterpenoids. Methanol extract contained high levels of flavonoids. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts had higher levels of total triterpenoids. The P. anatolica oil contained palmitic acid (29.21%) as major fatty acid, followed by oleic acid (21.33%), and stearic acid (10.79%). The antioxidant properties of extracts were also evaluated by using free radical scavenging(DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (FRAP and CUPRAC), metal chelating activity and phosphomolybdenum assays. All extracts exhibited antioxidant capacity. The best results of P. anatolica were noted in ethyl acetate extract (except total flavonoids, CUPRAC, metal chelating activity). The extracts of P. anatolica demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against a-amylase and a-glucosidase, AChE and tyrosinase and no activity against BChE. P. anatolica could be a potential natural source of antioxidant. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.