Decoction and 75% ethanolic extracts from the leaves of Acanthopanax trifoliatus (AT) and
Toddalia asiatica (TA) were spectrophotometrically examined for antioxidant activity and phenolics
content. Phytochemical characteristics of the decoction extracts were also investigated by thin layer
chromatography (TLC).
The leaf decoction extract of AT significantly exhibited the highest in vitro antioxidant activity
determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay and the thiobarbituric acid
reactive substances (TBARS) method. TA decoction and 75% ethanolic extracts significantly contained
the highest amount of total phenolics and total flavonoids content, respectively. Analysis of the decoction
extracts of AT and TA by TLC showed specific fingerprints composed of chlorogenic acid and rutin.