Radical Scavenging Activity Comparison of Extracts from Leaves of Economic Trees—A Case Study of Guniujiang Nature Reserve

A DPPH· assay was employed to test radical scavenging activity of extracts from leaves of economic trees in Guniujiang. The results showed that all extrats tested had radical scavenging activity,and extracts from Castanea mollissima and Myrica rubra had strong free radical scavenging activity. Their IC50against DPPH radicals were 0. 36 and 0. 39 mg /ml. Tests showed that the free radical scavenging activities of different plants extracts were different and had positive relationship with their concentration. The scavenging activity differences between the tested economic trees exhibited no obvious rule. Comparison of methanol and ethylacetate extracts from Castanea mollissima revealed that its active constituent was polar compounds which could be deduced as tannins. The active constituents of Myrica rubra were flavones. The specific compounds still need futher research.