(+)-Catechin, an Antioxidant Principle from the Leaves of Pinus densiflora that Acts on 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl Radical

The antioxidant activity of Pinus densiflora was determined by measuring the radical scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The methanol extract of P. densiflora showed strong antioxidant activity, and thus fractionated with several solvents. The antioxidant activity potential of the individual fraction was in the order of ethyl acetate>n-butanol>water>dichloromethane> n-hexane fraction. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction exhibiting strong antioxidant activity was further purified by repeated silica gel column chromatography. Antioxidant (+)-catechin was isolated as one of the active principles from the ethyl acetate fraction, together with the inactive components, dihydrokaempferol and 1-O-benzoylglucose. The radical scavenging effect of (+)-catechin on DPPH radical exceeded to that of L-ascorbic acid which is a well known antioxidant.