Phytochemicals and antioxidant activities evaluation of origanum vulgare (L.) stem bark extracts

The present study aimed to evaluate phytochemical and antioxidant activity (in vitro and in vivo) of Origanum vulgare (L.) ethanolic extract. The phytochemical test was assessed using the Clule method in ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane. In vitro evaluation of antioxidant activity was determined by radical scavenging assay using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) as an artificial free radical activity. In vivo test was conducted to evaluate the effect of malondialdehyde (MDA) level in blood plasma during maximum physical activity treatment. In vivo test was done using 25 male Sprague Dawley rats in pre and post-test control group design. The phytochemical test of O. vulgare ethanol extract was showed some compounds, such as a flavonoid, alkaloid, triterpenoid/steroid, essential oil, and tannin, then in ethyl acetate and hexane. In vitro assay showed that O. vulgare extract has strong antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 133.47 µg/mL. While in the in vivo test, the most effective dosage is 20 mg/200 gr B.W., represented by a significant decrease of MDA level (0.509 nmol/mL) before and after treatment. So, the ethanolic extract of clove has potency as an herbal antioxidant because of the low level of IC₅₀ and can decrease the MDA level.