Study of Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activity of Juniperus sabina L. Grown in Mongolia

In traditional Mongolian medicine, J. sabina L. fruits and leaves are used as medicinal raw materials to treat kidney, joint and respiratory diseases. The present study considers the phytochemical investigation of the plant. TLC test results identified gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, umbelliferone and 1,8-cineole in J. sabina L. Quantitative determination by UV spectrophotometry showed the content of polyphenolic compounds to be 127-195 mg GAE/g, total flavonoids 46-59.1 mg QE/g and total coumarins 14.8-20.5 mg UE/g. Plant antioxidant activity was assessed using the free radical reduction DPPH test and the 50% inhibitory concentration was determined at a 200 µg/mL concentration, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of J. sabina L. exhibited free radical scavenging activity of 83.15% ± 1.85 and 46.14% ± 1.08, respectively. The 50% free radical inhibition concentration values were 112.8 ± 1.99 µg/mL and 195.2 ± 1.57 µg/mL, both less than 200 µg/mL, indicating antioxidant activity.