Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant properties of mixtures containing Platycodonis Radix, Codonopsidis Radix, Paeoniae Radix, and Lonicerae Flos

Abstract

Medicinal plants, rich sources of bioactive compounds such as Platycodon grandiflorus, Codonopsis lanceolata, Paeonia japonica, and Lonicera japonica, have been an integral part of traditional medicine for centuries. Therefore, this study aims to explore the botanical and chemical profiles of key Korean medicinal plants: steamed Platycodonis Radix, steamed Codonopsidis Radix, non-steamed Paeoniae Radix (NPR), and non-steamed Lonicerae Flos (NLF), investigating their constituents and antioxidant potential. Assessments of total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) revealed considerable variation among the samples, with higher TPC generally correlating with increased TFC. Among the samples, NLF exhibited the highest TPC and TFC, indicative of its rich polyphenol and flavonoid content. Antioxidant assays using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) methods identified NPR and NLF as promising natural antioxidants, though less potent than ascorbic acid. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed key compounds in each sample, with paeoniflorin particularly abundant in NLF, probably contributing to its antioxidant activity. These findings offer fundamental insights into developing functional foods and Chinese medicinal herb mixtures and serve as a valuable reference for future research on traditional herbal medicine analysis and product formulation. © The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry 2024.