Antioxidant Activities and Phytochemical Profile of Vicia cracca Extract

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the antioxidant properties and phytochemical composition of Vicia cracca extract to evaluate its potential as a natural ingredient for cosmetic applications. Methods: Vicia cracca was extracted via ultrasonic-assisted extraction using 70% ethanol. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays were employed to assess the extract’s antioxidant capacity. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Phytochemical profiling was performed via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with a C18 column under gradient elution conditions. Results: The extract exhibited dose-dependent radical scavenging activities in both the DPPH and ABTS assays, with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of 3.65 mg/mL and 2.30 mg/mL, respectively. The total phenolic content was 27.4±1.1 mg GAE/g dry weight, and the total flavonoid content was 14.9±0.7 mg QE/g dry weight. UHPLC analysis revealed the presence of 15 phytochemical compounds, with diosmin identified as the most abundant constituent. Conclusion: Vicia cracca extract exhibits significant antioxidant activity and contains a variety of bioactive phytochemicals. The findings of this study support the potential of Vicia cracca extract as a natural antioxidant ingredient in cosmetic formulations and provide a foundation for further research into its skin-related functionalities.