Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity Test of Ethanol Extract of Nelambosuon (Rubiaceae) Leaves Using the DPPH Method
Keywords:
Nelambo suon; Rubiaceae; phytochemical screening; antioxidant activity; DPPH methodAbstract
Indonesia is recognized as one of the world’s megabiodiversity countries, possessing a vast diversity of medicinal plants that have long been utilized in traditional medicine. Nelambo suon (Rubiaceae) is an indigenous plant traditionally used by the Tehit Imian tribe in South Sorong, Southwest Papua, for treating wounds, skin infections, and inflammatory conditions. However, scientific information regarding its phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Nelambo suon leaves using the DPPH method. Fresh, undamaged green leaves were dried at room temperature without direct sunlight and extracted by maceration using 96% ethanol. Phytochemical screening was performed to identify major secondary metabolites, while antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and expressed as IC₅₀ values. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the ethanol extract, whereas alkaloids, saponins, steroids, and terpenoids were not detected. The antioxidant assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in radical scavenging activity. The ethanol extract of Nelambo suon leaves exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 83.7 µg/mL, indicating strong antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that Nelambo suon leaves are a promising source of natural antioxidants, likely attributed to their flavonoid and tannin contents. This study provides preliminary scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of Nelambo suon and highlights its potential for further development as a natural antioxidant agent in pharmaceutical and herbal product applications.
References
Halliwel B, Gutteridge JM. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine. 5th ed. Vol. 00. Oxford University Press; 2018. 2015–2018 p.
Pratiwi ARH. BIOMA : JURNAL BIOLOGI MAKASSAR EXTRACT Anredera cordifolia ( Ten .) Steenis. 2023;7168(August 2022):66–74.
Arel A, Basri M, Syafah L, Rahmawati RA, Susiloningrum D, Islamiyati R, et al. Buku Ajar Teknologi Bahan Alam. 2023.
Kedare SB, Singh RP. Genesis and development of DPPH method of antioxidant assay. 2011;48(August):412–22.
Yahdiyani N, Abun A, Asmara IY. Antioxidant Activity in Spinach , Beetroot and Wheat Pollard as Vegetable Sources Rich in Betaine for Poultry Feed Aktivitas Antioksidan pada Bayam , Bit dan Dedak Gandum Sebagai Sumber Senyawa Betain pada Pakan Unggas. 2025;12(1):129–37.
Attasih, M., Muhtadi, M., Pambudi, D.B. and Saad, M. (n.d.) Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Plumeria alba. Journal of Nutraceuticals and Herbal Medicine.
Gurning, K., Lumbangaol, S., Situmorang, R.F.R. and Silaban, S. (n.d.) Determination of phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of plant extracts using DPPH method. Jurnal Pendidikan Kimia.
Parthasarathy, S., Azizi, J.B., Ramanathan, S., Ismail, S., Sasidharan, S., Said, M.I.M. and Mansor, S.M. (2009) ‘Evaluation of antioxidant activity of Mitragyna speciosa (Rubiaceae)’, Molecules, 14(10), pp. 3964–3974.
Sodik, J.J., Budiana, W., Roni, A. and Wahyudin, W. (2024) ‘Antioxidant activity of Peperomia pellucida using DPPH method and phenolic-flavonoid analysis’, Medical Sains, 8(1), pp. xx–xx.
Muslihin AM, Hardia L, Maulana F. Antianemic Activity of Anamirta cocculus Hydro-Ethanol Extract against Sodium Nitrite-Induced Anemia in Rats. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2025;9(July):3188–91.
Khoiruzaman MS, Muslihin AM, Astuti RA. The Effect Of Matoa Bark Extract Gel Preparation (Pometia pinnata) on Bruises on The Thighs Of Rats (Rattus Norvegicus). 2025;9:335–48.
Aisyah H, Budiyanto AB, Muslihin AM. Antibacterial Effectiveness Test of Wrap Leaf Extract ( Smilax rotundifolia ) Against Escherichia coli and Propionibacterium acnes Bacteria. 2025;11(4):527–32.
Fabanyo SH, Hardia L, Muslihin AM, Budiyanto AB. Analisis Fitokimia dan Gugus Fungsi Kulit Kayu Akway (Drymis sp.). 2023;6(6):976–82.
Fahira IN, Muslihin AM, Irwandi. Effectiveness of Bone breaking Plant (Euphorbia tirucalli) on Mus muscus as Antihyperglycaemic. J Promot Prev. 2025;8(5):1183–94.
Hardiansyah LO, Muslihin AM, Astuti RA. In Vitro Study of Tali Kuning (Anamirta cocculus) Stem Bark Extract as an Antioxidant. 2024;5(4):12785–92.
Masitoh R, Muslihin AM, Budiyanto AB. Antioxidant Activity Assay of the Ethanolic Extract of Tali Kuning (Anamirta cocculus). J Kesehat STIKes Buleleng. 2024;9(2):52073.
Erawati R, Muslihin AM, Lukman H. Antioxidant Activity Test of Fraction Extract Ethanol Tali Kuning (Anamirta cocculus) Using the DPPD Method. 2024;7(2):381–91. Available from: http://journal.unpacti.ac.id/index.php/JPP
Muslihin AM, Astuti RA, Irwandi. Analisis Aktivitas Antioksidan Fraksi Ekstrak Daun Mimba ( Azadirachta indica A.Juss) dengan Metode DPPH. J Etnofarmasi. 2022;2(2):1–7.
Liwen VBW, Ratih AA, Muslihin A. The Effect of Solvent Variation on Antioxidant Activity in Red Fruit Extract ( Pandanus Conoideus Lam ) Using UV-Visible Spectrophotometry. J Eduhelat. 2026;17(01):131–40.
Widia D, Kusrini D, Fachriyah E. Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Flavonoid Compounds from the Ethanolic Extract of Johar Leaves (Senna siamea Lamk.). J Sci Appl Chem. 2017;20(3):123–9.
Utami S, Amin M, Munandar H, Yuniarti R. Determination of total flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of ethanol extract, n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate of senggani leaves (Melastoma candidum D.Don) by visibel spectrophotometry. J Pharm Sci. 2025;8(1):420–36.
Pote LL, Taek MM, Nadut A, Latumakulita G. Pengaruh Jenis Pelarut Terhadap Kadar Senyawa Metabolit Sekunder dan Aktivitas Antioksidan Ekstrak Kulit Batang Lino ( Grewia koordersiana Burret ). 2024;9(1):71–90.
Ayu I, Widiasriani P, Nyoman N, Udayani W, Putri GA. Artikel Review : Peran Antioksidan Flavonoid dalam Menghambat Radikal Bebas. J Syifa Sci Clin Res. 2024;6:188–97.
Eksanti Lutika M, Emy Dhurhania C, Andiriani D. The formula development and antioxidant activity of peel-off gel mask from ethyl acetate fraction of bay leaf (Zyzygium polyanthum (Wight.) Walp.). J Ilm Farm. 2024;20(024).
Kurniawan I, Zahra H. Review : Gallotannins ; Biosynthesis , Structure Activity Relationship , Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Activity. Curr Biochem. 2021;8(1):1–16.
Chatri M, Aini Z. Antifungal Activity of Melastoma malabathricum Leaf Ekstract againts Fusarium oxysporum AND Sclerotium rolfsii With In Vitro. J Agrotek Trop. 2022;10(3):395–401.
Suprianta D, Mulyani Y, Rostini I, Untung Kurnia Agung M. Antioxidant Activity, Total Flavonoid and Phenolic Contents of Methanolic Extracts of Mangrove Stem Bark at Different Growth Stages. J Perikan dan Kelaut. 2019;X(2).
Nurmalasari T, Zahara S, Arisanti N, Mentari P, Nurbaeti Y, Lestari T, et al. Antioxidant Activity of Kupa Fruit (*Syzygium polycephalum*) Extract Against Free Radicals Using the DPPH Method. J Kesehat Bakti Tunas Husada. 2016;16:61–8.
Damanis FVM, Wewengkang DS, Antasionasti I. Antioxidant Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of the Ascidian *Herdmania momus* Using the DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) Method. Pharmacon. 2020;9:464–9.
Mamay M, Wardani D, Hakim F. Aktivitas Antioksidan Total pada Ekstrak Etanol Daun Bambu Surat (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinaceae). J Kesehat Perintis. 2022;9(1):47–52.
Hidayati S, Masykuroh A. Antioxidant Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Pulutan Flower (*Urena lobata* L.) Using the DPPH Method. J Komunitas Farm Nas. 2023;3(1):494–508.
Aryantini D. Antioxidant Activity and Total Tannin Content of the Ethanolic Extract of Butterfly Tree Leaves (Bauhinia purpurea L.). J Farmagazine. 2021;VIII(1):54–60.
