Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Antioxidant Activity in vitro of Flavonoids from Male Tussah Moth

Objective: To investigate the extraction and antioxidant effects of flavonoids from male tussah moth. Methods: Flavonoids were ultrasonically extracted from male tussah moth with ethanol. The extract was analyzed qualitatively by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The optimum extraction conditions were determined by orthogonal array design. The antioxidant activity of flavonoids from male tussah moth investigated by comparing the reducing power and radical scavenging effects against DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals with those of VC and BHT in vitro. Results: The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: ethanol concentration 60%, solid/solvent ratio 1:40, extraction time 45 min and temperature 70 ℃. Under the optimized conditions, the yield of total flavonoids from male tussah moth was 3.72 mg/g in one extraction cycle. The extracted flavonoids had potent radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner against DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, and its IC50 was 752.4, 617.8 and 813.4 μg/mL, respectively. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was stronger than that of VC and BHT, and the superoxide anion radical activity was stronger than that of BHT. Conclusion: Flavonoids from male tussah moth had strong antioxidant effects in vitro.