HPLC Analysis of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Ribes Fruit Leaves

Berry fruit leaves are recognized as potential medicaments which are rich in different phenolic compounds, and have been used in folk medicine for centuries. In order to evaluate phenol composition of fruit leaves from red currant (Ribes rubrum) and black currant (Ribes nigrum) species were subjected to the spectrophotometric and HPLC analysis. The antioxidant activity was estimated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Flavonols, flavan-3-ols and phenolic acids were the main phenol classes found in the investigated leaf extracts. Investigated extracts showed significant antioxidant activity and a correlation with total phenol content. Ribes leaf extracts, rich in phenolic content, with significant antioxidant activity, can be used as medical supplements