"The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant activities and phenolic components of the crude
extracts of 10 Desmodium species from Taiwan. In this study, DPPH free radical scavenging activity,
ABTS radical monocation scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing
power of the 10 Desmodium species were evaluated for their antioxidant activities. The results showed
that, of all the samples, Desmodium sequax was the most active in ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and reducing
power assays. The total polyphenol, total flavonoid and total flavonol contents of the crude extract were
calculated. The correlation coefficient (R2
) values of TEAC with phenolic compounds indicated strong
positive correlations, except for total flavonoid content. Furthermore, HPLC chromatographic
fingerprints were established, and chlorogenic acid and vitexin in D. sequax were quantified.
Chlorogenic acid was confirmed to express strong antioxidant activities in ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and
reducing power assays. The present study indicated the antioxidant activities of the 10 Desmodium
species were related to their phenolic components. D. sequax is a potent antioxidant medicinal plant,
and chlorogenic acid may be an important factor in the antioxidant activity of this plant."
