Abstract

Galium aparine L. is an annual herbaceous plant of Rubiaceae family. It has therapeutic effects as contains various bioactive components. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extraction methods on the amount of phytochemical components of G. aparine. The change in the amount of bioactive components directly affects antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. In this study, three different extraction methods, soxhlet, maceration and ultrasonic, using methanol as solvent, were used and the extractions were performed using of G. aparine. The phytochemical components of the extracts was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The soxhlet extraction showed that it contained the highest amount of flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds, compared to the other two extraction methods. Obtained soxhlet extraction contained 131.827 g quercetin acid equivalent (QE) flavonoids, 825.4 g as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) phenolic compunds, 366.998 mg as tallic acid (TAE) of tannins. Due to the high amount of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins it contains, soxhlet extract has been shown to have α-amylase inhibition effect (46%) and much more radical scavenging activity than other extracts.