Antioxidant Power of Araucaria and Cosmos

Unlocking Nature's Power: Exploring Antioxidants in Araucaria and Cosmos Flowers

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the potential health benefits of Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus through their rich antioxidant properties."

In recent years, there's been a surge of interest in medicinal plants as alternatives to synthetic drugs, driven by concerns about safety, especially regarding oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's antioxidant defenses. This imbalance has been implicated in numerous human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular issues, aging, and neurological disorders.

Antioxidants, found abundantly in plants, can neutralize the harmful effects of ROS. These molecules bolster our natural enzymatic defense systems, like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT). Research indicates that phenolics, compounds with hydroxyl groups, play a crucial role in antioxidant mechanisms.

This study explores the antioxidant potential of two plants: Araucaria columnaris (bark peel) and Cosmos sulphureus (flowers). Araucaria columnaris, belonging to the Araucariaceae family, is commonly used as an ornamental plant, while Cosmos sulphureus, from the Asteraceae family, is known for its vibrant orange, yellow, and red flowers. The goal is to assess their potential as sources of natural phenolic antioxidants.

Antioxidant Potential: How Do These Plants Stack Up?

Antioxidant Power of Araucaria and Cosmos

The study used successive solvent extraction to prepare extracts from Araucaria columnaris bark peel and Cosmos sulphureus flowers. The extracts were then subjected to phytochemical screening to identify the presence of various compounds, followed by an assessment of their antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. The DPPH assay measures the ability of antioxidants to scavenge free radicals, which is a key indicator of their protective capabilities.

Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of proteins, coumarins, saponins, amino acids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds in both Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus extracts. These compounds are known to contribute to the bioactive properties of medicinal plants, including their antioxidant effects.

The key findings include:

Significant Antioxidant Activity: Methanol extracts from both plants exhibited substantial radical scavenging activity.
Presence of Beneficial Compounds: The presence of flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds likely contributes to the observed antioxidant effects.
DPPH Assay Results: Both plants showed notable antioxidant potential in vitro compared to standard ascorbic acid.

The methanol extracts of Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, with percentage inhibitions of 90.37% and 89.87%, respectively, at a concentration of 500 µl, compared to 94.05% for ascorbic acid. These results indicate that the antioxidant activity of the extracts increases with concentration.

Nature's Antioxidant Arsenal: A Promising Future

Given the critical role of antioxidants in combating diseases linked to oxidative stress, identifying effective natural sources is paramount. This research highlights the potential of Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus as valuable sources of natural antioxidants.

The study confirms the in vitro antioxidant potential of solvent extracts from both plants. The radical scavenging activity is concentration-dependent, increasing as the concentration of the extracts increases.

Further research is needed to isolate and identify the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity. This knowledge could pave the way for new natural additives in the food and pharmaceutical industries, offering consumers healthier and more sustainable options.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.22159/ijcpr.2017v9i4.20967, Alternate LINK

Title: Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis And In Vitro Antioxidant Activity Of Araucaria Columnaris Bark Peel And Cosmos Sulphureus Flowers

Subject: Pharmaceutical Science

Journal: International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research

Publisher: Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd

Authors: Krishma M. Jadav, K. N. Ninge Gowda

Published: 2017-07-14

Everything You Need To Know

How do Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus help with oxidative stress?

Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus combat oxidative stress through their antioxidant properties. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the body's antioxidant defenses, contributing to various diseases. The antioxidants found in these plants neutralize ROS, supporting natural enzymatic defense systems like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT).

What beneficial compounds were found in Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus that contribute to their antioxidant properties?

Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus contain proteins, coumarins, saponins, amino acids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. These phytochemicals are known for their bioactivity, particularly their antioxidant effects. Flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds contribute significantly to the antioxidant potential observed in these plants.

What is a DPPH assay, and how was it used to evaluate Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus?

The DPPH assay is a method used to measure the antioxidant activity of substances. In the context of Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus, the DPPH assay assessed the ability of extracts from these plants to scavenge free radicals. High radical scavenging activity indicates strong antioxidant potential. The methanol extracts of both plants demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in vitro compared to standard ascorbic acid.

How does the antioxidant activity of Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus compare to ascorbic acid?

Methanol extracts of Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus showed high antioxidant activity, with inhibitions of 90.37% and 89.87%, respectively, at a concentration of 500 µl, compared to 94.05% for ascorbic acid. This indicates that both plants are potent sources of antioxidants, suggesting their potential use in applications where natural antioxidants are desired.

What are the potential implications of discovering antioxidant properties in Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus, and what further research is needed?

The exploration of Araucaria columnaris and Cosmos sulphureus could lead to new natural antioxidant sources, reducing reliance on synthetic drugs and addressing safety concerns linked to oxidative stress-related diseases. Further research could explore optimal extraction methods, bioavailability, and potential synergistic effects of combining these plant extracts with other antioxidants. Additionally, in vivo studies are needed to validate the efficacy and safety of these extracts in treating specific health conditions.