Phenolics level, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant were determined from the methanol extracts of the eight medicinal plants using roots. Total phenolics were found as the highest levels in the methanol extracts of Arctium lappa, and followed by Youngia sonchifolia and Cirsium japonicum. Total amount of the each phenol compounds were detected in C. japonicum extracts (319.2 mg kg-1) as the greatest component, and followed by A. lappa (96.3 mg kg-1) and Y. sonchifolia (22.9 mg kg-1). Total flavonoid content showed the highest amount in methanol extracts from A. lappa (68.1 mg 100 g-1) and followed by Y. sonchifolia (11.2 mg 100 g-1) Lycoris radiate extracts (87.2%) had the highest nitrite scavenging activity and followed by A. lappa (81.5%) and Y. sonchifolia (77.5%). Methanol extracts of A. lappa at 25 mg 100 g-1 exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity by 90.8%, even though less activity than synthetic antioxidants Vitamin C or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Level of polyphenols was highly correlated with anti oxidative activity (r2 = 0.85). The results suggest that several medicinal plants selected had the potent biological activities, and that their activities were differential depending on plant species.

• Sang-Uk Chon
• Tae-Soon Kim
• Ji-San Shin
• Hee-Ock Boo