Abstract

In this study, three medicinal plants known as (Sambucus ebulus, Lonicera tatarica andViburnum opulus) were investigated for their antioxidant properties. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content was also determined. All three phytopharmaceutical products have high amounts of phenols but the highest values were observed at V. opulus bark extract (42.38±0.12 gallic acid equivalents GAE/g). The 1,1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test showed also high antioxidant potential of them in comparation with other medicinal plant species (IC₅₀ was 1.089+1.09 mg/ml for V. opulus bark, 0.918+0.46 mg/ml for S. ebulusleaves, 1.947±0.98 mg/ml for L. tatarica flowers and 2.145±1.34 mg/ml for L. tatarica fruits). Therefore, the medicinal products studied have the potential to substitute artificial antioxidants in food and nutraceutical industry.

Key words: Antioxidant activity, in vitro, total phenols, medicinal plants.