Phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of Komba-komba (Eupatorium odoratum L)

Komba-komba (Eupatorium odoratum L) is a shrub, which is native to America. Traditionally, komba-komba is used to treat burns, wounds, skin infections, postpartum wounds, malaria, coughs and colds, and has anti-gonorrhoea, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, analgesic and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemicals from Komba-komba roots and in vitro antioxidant activity. Komba-komba root powder was macerated using methanol as solvent. Then fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. The antioxidant power was measured using the DPPH radical inhibition method and reducing agents using the FRAP method. Komba-komba root exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest antioxidant activity using both the DPPH method and the FRAP method with IC50 values, 10.0598±0.0665 g/mL, and 16.4782±0.3558 g/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity of komba-komba root was correlated with its phenolic and flavonoid content. Komba-komba root showed very high phenolic and flavonoid contents to be developed as a source of natural antioxidants.