Thin-layer chromatography analysis and scavenging activity of marigold (Calendula officinalis L) extracts

The methanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water extracts were obtained by extraction of marigold flower (Calendula officinalis L). The content of total phenolic compounds, determined by UV spectrophotometric method using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, was 15.12 mg/g. The content of total flavonoids, determined by UV spectrophotometric method according to Markham, was 5.13 mg/g. Qualitative determination of phenolic compounds in the extracts was performed by one- and two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (TLC) procedures. The results of one- and two-dimensional TLC analyses showed that different flavonoids and phenolic acids were present in the investigated extracts. The greatest number of flavonoids (rutin, quercetin and some unidentified flavonoid glycosides) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, coumaric and vanillic acid) were deteminated in methanol extract. The influence of marigold extracts, in concentration range 0.6-1.2 mg/mL, on 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. All extracts showed scavenging activity (SA) in the following order: ethyl acetate > n-butanol > methanol > water > chloroform > petroleum ether. The SA increased with increasing concentration of extracts. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts exibited the most significant SA. These extracts in concentration of 1.2 mg/mL eliminated completely DPPH radicals. The lowest SA had chloroform and petroleum ether extracts (in concentration of 0.6 mg/mL SA=0%). The SA of marigold extracts is attributed to its hydrogen-donating ability and scavenging effect