Regional variation in total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of Artemisia dracunculus L. in Xinjiang, China

BACKGROUND: Artemisia dracunculus L. (A. dracunculus) is a distinctive plant resource in Xinjiang, possesses both medicinal and culinary value, with distinct regional characteristics. METHODS: In this study, total flavonoids extracted from A. dracunculus (TFAD) were obtained using a reflux method, with extraction parameters optimized through single-factor experimental design. Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry was used for both qualitative and quantitative assessment of TFAD. Samples collected from Jimusaer, Hami, and Tacheng in Xinjiang were analyzed for total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. RESULTS: The optimized extraction conditions included 50% ethanol as the solvent, a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:30, an extraction temperature of 80 °C, and a duration of 8 h. Under these conditions, the TFAD content in samples from Jimusaer, Hami, and Tacheng was 107.0146 ± 1.4986, 111.9548 ± 1.6136, and 124.8996 ± 1.3801 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Statistically significant regional differences were observed (p < 0.01), with the highest flavonoid concentration found in samples from Tacheng. Antioxidant activities of TFAD from the three regions were assessed using in vitro free radical scavenging assays, with ascorbic acid (AA) serving as the positive control. TFAD extracted from Jimusaer exhibited the strongest antioxidant capacity, with IC₅₀ values of 31.31 ± 1.19 and 114.04 ± 5.56 µg mL⁻¹ against DPPH and ABTS⁺· radicals, respectively, compared with 7.25 ± 0.56 and 154.18 ± 9.54 µg mL⁻¹ for AA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TFAD from the Jimusaer region demonstrates superior antioxidant activity, providing a basis for further exploration and potential utilization of A. dracunculus as a functional resource in Xinjiang.