Antioxidant Properties and Principal Phenolic Compositions ofCynomorium SongaricumRupr

The antioxidant properties of crude acetone extract and its fractions separated using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. were examined by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity assay. The activity of the crude acetone extract was significantly higher than that of vitamin E and lower than that of ascorbic acid. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest activity among the four fractions. Catechins and proanthocyanidins were identified as the predominant components in ethyl acetate fraction by high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Catechin was demonstrated as the major phenolic compound in ethyl acetate fraction of C. songaricum after high-speed counter-current chromatography isolation. In summary, C. songaricum exhibiting high antioxidant activity and abundant procyanidins might be considered as a potential source of antioxidants.