Antioxidative constituents of Polygonum minus (kesum) and Kaempferia galangal (cekur)

Abstract

Polygonum minus and Kaempferia galangal not only used as 'ulam' but this herbs are also high in antioxidative constituents that important in medicinal value. The objectives of this research were to determine and to compare the concentrations of a-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and carotenoid content as well as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase (APx), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) specific activity of Polygonum minus (kesum) and Kaempferia galangal (cekur). Polygonum minus exhibited significantly higher concentrations of ascorbic acid as well as ascorbate peroxidase (APx) specific activities compared to Kaempferia galangal. Contrastly, guaiacol peroxidase (POD) specific activity were significantly higher in Kaempferia galangal compared to Polygonum minus. No significant differences were observed in carotenoid, a-tocopherol, and catalase specific activity of both plants. The results suggest that Polygonum minus is a good source of natural dietry antioxidant as compared to Kaempferia gal an gal.