ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAVES

Medicinal plants contain bioactive natural compounds that demonstrate considerable therapeutic potential.Their significance arises from the variety of bioactive molecules they possess, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, tocopherols, and vitamins, all of which positively impact health.There is growing interest in these bioactive compounds, particularly their antioxidant properties and beneficial effects on chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cancer.Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) originated in Eastern North America and is grown in Europe and Brazil as an ornamental tree, commonly referred to as the "tree of life" or "white cedar."This study assesses the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of three Thuja occidentalis leaf varieties.We measured total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, and IC50.Furthermore, we analysed how using fresh versus dried plant material for extract preparation affects the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity.Our findings revealed that TPC ranged from 5.15 to 13.73 mg GAE/g for fresh leaves and 11.12 to 17.52 mg GAE/g for dried leaves.TFC varied between 3.06 and 11.23 mg QUE/g for fresh leaves and 5.73 to 14.52 mg QUE/g for dried leaves.The DPPH radical scavenging activity spanned from 39.12% to 57.33% for fresh material compared to 30.21% to 57.69% for dried material.These results suggest that drying the plant affects the phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activity.