CHARACTERISTICS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF GAHARU (Gyrinops versteegii) LEAVES

Oxidative stress occurs because of an imbalance of the amount of free radicals with a number of endogenous antioxidant produced by the body such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT). This imbalance can be overcome by taking antioxidants natural or synthetic antioxidants. One of them is Gaharu leaves. This study aims to determine the characteristics and antioxidant capacity of Gaharu leaves in vitro. This study was a laboratory experimental study is to analyze the characteristics and bioactivity of Gaharu leaves in the form of water content, chlorophyll content, total content of phenol/flavonoids, antioxidant capacity in the solvent n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, ethanol, methanol, and water. The results showed that the water content of the fresh leaves and dry is 60.9% and 10.8%. Chlorophyll content (a) 2771.159 ppm, chlorophyll (b) 1111.004. Total phenol content of dried leaves in water extracts showed the highest levels of phenol tolal ie 14.980 mg GAE/100 mg. Highest antioxidant capacity was also demonstrated by the water extract with IC50 = 3.44 mg/mL (5 minutes) and 3.03 mg/mL. Phytochemical screening showed that the chemical content of the water extract of Gaharu leaf is in the form of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and steroids. The content of phenolic compounds/flavonoids are high enough and work in synergy to capture or neutralize free radicals cause leaf water extract of Gaharu have a high antioxidant capacity. The conclusions of this research is to extract water from the leaves Gaharu can be developed as an alternative to natural antioxidants in reducing oxidative stress. Keywords: Gaharu Leaves, Antioxidant Capacity, Total Phenolic Content and Free Radicals.