PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SOURSOP (ANNONA MURICATA) LEAVES

Objective: Soursop (Annona muricata) is a tropical plant which has been utilized as a folk medicine to treat many diseases including cancer, inflammation and parasitic infection. In this study, we investigated its phytochemistry properties and antioxidant activity against free radicals. Methods: Annona muricata leaves were extracted in three different solvents: ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane. Afterwards, a phytochemistry test and the thin layer chromatography (TLC) method were used to evaluate bioactive compounds contained in the three different extracts. Antioxidant activity from the semi-polar (ethyl acetate) and polar (ethanol) solvents were evaluated by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) method, and the antioxidant activity is expressed by IC50 value. The results were compared to ascorbic acid as a positive control. Results: The phytochemistry test showed that the extracts were positive for flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides and tannins. Moreover, TLC analysis revealed that there were three chemical compounds contained in the extracts. The results from the DPPH method were that ethanolic extract was shown to have the most potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 35.51 ppm. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Annona muricata could be developed as the next promising natural antioxidant source.