Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 2 (2025): 1431

Research Article

Comparative evaluation of phenolic content, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties of Clitoria ternatea flowers and leaves from Vietnam

Nguyen Thi Ngan

Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

^*Corresponding author: nguyenthingan_vsh@iuh.edu.vn

Received: 29 August 2024; Revised: 19 November 2024; Accepted: 3 December 2024; Published: 10 February 2025

Abstract

Clitoria ternatea L., a Southeast Asian herbal medicine and tea, is increasingly used in Vietnam as a natural food colorant and remedy, but its bioactive constituents are not well-documented. The present study evaluated the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and potential antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties of C. ternatea flower and leaf extracts. Clitoria ternatea flowers and leaves were extracted using methanol and ethyl acetate. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were quantified through spectrophotometry, while high-performance liquid chromatography connected to a diode-array detector was used to identify phenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assays. α-glucosidase inhibition was determined spectrophotometrically. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated via albumin denaturation assay. The results demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract of the flowers contained the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The ethyl acetate flower extract exerted the strongest radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 474.76 mg/mL) while the methanolic leaf extract possessed the greatest capacity to quench free radicals (IC₅₀ = 284.91 mg/mL). The ethyl acetate extract at 4000 mg/mL was identified as having the most potent inhibitory effect on a-glucosidase, comparable with that of 100 mg/mL acarbose. The methanolic extract of leaves exerted the strongest protective effect against albumin denaturation (IC₅₀ = 120.05 mg/mL), and this may be on a par with diclofenac. The study’s findings showed that flowers and leaves of C. ternatea are abundant in phenolics and possess high bioactivities. Therefore, they have the potential for being utilized in the production of functional food products.

Keywords: Clitoria ternatea, phenolic, flavonoid, anti-inflammatory, α-glucosidase

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