Activity-guided isolation and identification of free radical-scavenging components from various leaf extracts of Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz.

Nine phenolics were obtained from the leaves of Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz by activity-directed isolation: isorhamnetin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), astragalin (2), isoquercitrin (3), hyperoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (5), quercetin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (6), rutin (7), chlorogenic acid (8) and neochlorogenic acid (9). The isolates were identified by spectral methods (UV, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR, COSY, HMQC and HMBC), and their free radical-scavenging activity was tested using the l,l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The antioxidant potential of the different extracts obtained in the fractionation process was evaluated using the DPPH test in relation to the HPLC contents of the isolates 1-9, total phenolics and total proanthocyanidins. Among the analytes tested, superior activity was expressed by isoquercitrin (3, EC(50) = 2.76 mg L(-1)) and the ethyl acetate extract (EC(50) = 2.99 mg L(-1)). Five strongly active isolates 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were found to be major components and to be principally responsible for the radical-scavenging activity of S. aria extracts.